Victor Osimhen has been awarded the Paolo Rossi Award for finishing as the top scorer in Serie A last season. The Nigerian striker scored 26 goals in 31 appearances, helping Napoli to a third-place finish.
Osimhen is the first African player to win the award, which is named after the Italian striker who won the Golden Boot at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He is also the first Napoli player to win the award since Gonzalo Higuain in 2015-16.
Osimhen’s award caps off a successful season for the 23-year-old. He also won the Serie A Best Striker award and was named in the Serie A Team of the Season.
Osimhen is expected to be a key player for Napoli next season as they look to challenge for the Serie A title. He is also expected to be a major contender for the African Player of the Year award.
In a statement, Osimhen said: “I am very proud to win this award. It is a great honor to be named after Paolo Rossi, who is one of the greatest strikers of all time. I would like to thank my teammates, my coaches, and the Napoli fans for their support this season.”
Osimhen’s award is a further sign of the growing influence of African players in European football. In recent years, there have been a number of African players who have won individual awards in Europe, including Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Osimhen’s award is a reminder of the talent that is coming out of Africa, and it is sure to inspire a new generation of African footballers.
