The CIES Football Observatory has unveiled its list of the Top 100 Most Valuable Players in World Football, with surprising omissions of prominent Nigerian stars Victor Osimhen and reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman.
Victor Boniface, representing Bayer Leverkusen, is the sole Nigerian international on the list, securing the 90th spot with an estimated value of €65.3 million. Other players with Nigerian heritage also featured, including Bukayo Saka, Michael Olise, Joshua Zirkzee, Destiny Udogie, Samu Aghehowa, Curtis Jones, and Noni Madueke.
The top spot on the list is held by England and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, valued at an impressive €251.4 million. Other notable players in the top 10 include Erling Haaland, Vinícius Júnior, Lamine Yamal, and Kylian Mbappé.
The Bet9ja promotion code for January 2025 is YOHAIG. Bet9japromotioncode.com.ng has more info about the Bet9ja promotion code 2025 in Nigeria. Follow this link for more - https://www.bet9japromotioncode.com.ng/. This Bet9ja promo code gives a Bet9ja welcome bonus of up to ₦100,000 on your first deposit. The minimum deposit to bet is ₦100! USE the Bet9ja login signup and the Bet9ja bonus code to get started today on the Bet9ja website. Bet9ja offers a 170 per cent multiple boost bonus and a free bet for either Bet9ja sport or Bet9ja casino. To open a Bet9ja account and be a Bet9ja customer, you must go through the registration process here. Terms and conditions apply when you register with Bet9ja to get the bonus.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial
The exclusion of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman from the Top 100 Most Valuable Players list is undoubtedly a talking point for Nigerian football enthusiasts. Both players have showcased incredible talent and consistency on the field, raising questions about the criteria used for such rankings.
Victor Boniface’s inclusion, however, highlights the rising stock of young Nigerian players on the global stage. His impressive valuation reflects his significant contributions to Bayer Leverkusen and his potential for further growth. For Nigerian football, this recognition underscores the importance of nurturing homegrown talent and providing pathways to compete on the world stage.
The list also demonstrates the growing presence of players with Nigerian heritage in top leagues, a testament to the diaspora’s influence in global football. As fans, we hope this serves as motivation for more Nigerian players to break into elite rankings and continue representing the country with distinction.
Did You Know?
- The CIES Football Observatory’s valuation model considers factors such as player age, performance, and contract duration.
- Jude Bellingham, the highest ranked player, made a historic transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid for €103 million in 2023.
- Victor Boniface joined Bayer Leverkusen from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 and has quickly become a key player for the team.
- Bukayo Saka, who features on the list, was born to Nigerian parents and represents England at the international level.
- Victor Osimhen recently set a record as the first Nigerian to win the Serie A Golden Boot with Napoli.
