After being conferred with the National Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by former President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has received yet another honour from the world football body, FIFA, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Osimhen has been an example for many young footballers since his emergence onto the international scene in 2015 when his record 10 goals fired the Golden Eaglets to a fifth U-17 World Cup title in Chile.
The 24-year-old finished as the tournament’s top scorer, winning the Golden Boot award along with the Silver Ball for his impressive performances.
His 10 goals in seven matches broke the long-standing record of nine goals in a single tournament previously jointly held by Frenchman Florent Sinama Pongolle and Ivorian Souleymane Coulibaly.
That feat also earned him the 2015 CAF Youth Player of The Year prize.
Osimhen recently helped Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years and also became the first African to win the Capocannoniere (Serie A Top Scorer Award).
The striker also broke a 14-year jinx of being the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic to win the Scudetto and the Capocannoniere same season.
In recognition of his rise to prominence, he was presented with a personalised ball and shift by FIFA official Gelson Fernandes.
In a message to the Nigerian, Fernandes wrote, “Victor Osimhen, you represent at the moment what football can do.
“From Lagos to Napoli where people love you, you have suffered, but your love for football and determination have guided you.
“Keep going, keep pushing. Africa needs examples and millions are watching and dreaming.”
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