George Weah Backs Osimhen For FIFA Best, Ballon d’Or Awards
Liberia president George Weah said Napoli and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen can become Africa’s next FIFA Best and Ballon d’Or winner.
The Liberian president held the record for Africa’s highest scorer in the Italian topflight after netting 46 in 114 appearances for AC Milan between 1995 to 2000.
The record was eventually broken when Osimhen scored in Napoli’s 1-0 home win against Fiorentina to take his tally in Serie A to 47.
Last Thursday, the Super Eagles striker became Africa’s highest goal scorer in a single season, when he bagged his 22nd goal in the 1-1 draw with Udinese which clinched the league title.
The goal against Udinese meant he overtook Samuel Eto’o who scored 21 goals in the 2010/2011 season.
Following Osimhen’s exploits in Italy this season Weah, who won both the FIFA Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards in 1995, charged the 24-year-old not to relent.
“My heartfelt congratulations to you, Victor Osimhen! I am very glad that you have accomplished a major milestone in your football career, after scoring your 47th goal in the Italian Serie A league,” Weah said on his Facebook page.
“The records show that with this goal, which you netted on Sunday, May 7, 2023 when your team Napoli went against Fiorentina, effectively makes you the African with the highest scoring record in the Italian Serie A league – surpassing my own account of 46 goals.
“I am so proud of your exploits and congratulate you on this remarkable achievement which is a result of your hard work, dedication and tenacity. I am also pleased with your kind words of honor in tribute to me upon reaching such a giant milestone.
“However, I want to admonish you not be contented. There are many more of my records for you to break. I wish you go on to achieve greater success.
“I watched your goal against Udinese when your 52nd -minute header won the Scudetto for Napoli. Your movement, your passion, your determination and hunger brought back many memories to me. I wait for your 100th Goal in all competitions in Italy so that you can celebrate (but don’t remove your shirt like I did or you will get a Yellow Card)
“You have won one Scudetto. Great! When I won my first Scudetto with Milan, I said to myself, why one, why not two? I went on to win another Scudetto with Milan. I went on to win the Ballon D’or. So why not two or more for you Victor? The sky is your limit. With your dedication, commitment, humility, hard work, you can conquer the World. Africa needs another World Best. Africa needs another European Best. You Victor, can deliver that for us.“
Weah said the records he set were meant not as a challenge, but as a motivation to Osimhen and other African Players, adding that Africa has the best talents.
He, however, urged Osimhen to remain humble, focused and not be distracted.
Meanwhile, with four games left to play in the Serie A, Osimhen still tops the goal scorers chart with 23 goals.
He can set another record as the first-ever African to finish as the league’s top scorer.
