In a moment of national pride and groundbreaking recognition, Nigeria’s Super Falcons have expressed heartfelt congratulations to both Chiamaka Nnadozie, the team’s standout goalkeeper, and head coach Justin Madugu, following their nominations by France Football, the prestigious organizers of the Ballon d’Or 2025 set to take place in Paris next month. According to LMSINT MEDIA, this landmark recognition marks a significant milestone in Nigerian football history as Chiamaka Nnadozie and Justin Madugu are the only Nigerians to be shortlisted for this year’s award categories, highlighting their exceptional contributions to the sport over the past year. Chiamaka Nnadozie Nominated for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy The highly talented 24-year-old shot-stopper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C., has earned a nomination for the coveted Women’s Yachine Trophy. This award is exclusively dedicated to the best female goalkeepers in the world, and Nnadozie’s inclusion further cements her status as one of the finest in global women’s football. She will go head-to-head with top international talents including: This recognition follows an extraordinary season where Nnadozie’s performances consistently demonstrated agility, confidence, and match-winning saves that have drawn international acclaim. Coach Justin Madugu Nominated for Women’s Coach of the Year Meanwhile, Super Falcons’ head coach, Justin Madugu, has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or Women’s Coach of the Year category. His nomination comes after his brilliant leadership which saw Nigeria claim their 10th Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in July, reinforcing the Super Falcons’ dominance on the continent. Madugu will be contending with elite coaches such as: This nomination is a testament to Madugu’s tactical intelligence, mentorship, and the transformation he has brought to Nigerian women’s football in recent years. Super Falcons React on Social Media Reacting to the news, the Super Falcons official X (formerly Twitter) account shared a celebratory post that read: “She let her gloves do the talking all season long. Big congratulations,@NadozieChiamaka. Not just on the pitch, we’re winning on the touchline too. Congratulations to our head coach, Justin Madugu, on his Ballon d’Or nomination for Coach of the Year. History made for Nigeria.” This moment signifies not just a personal victory for the nominees but a cultural and national triumph that places Nigeria firmly on the global football map. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring female footballers and coaches across the continent and are a true reflection of the resilience, talent, and passion rooted in Nigerian sports.
Fenerbahce’s head coach, Jose Mourinho, has voiced his opinion on who he believes deserves to clinch the 2025 Ballon d’Or title — and he’s rooting for some talented Portuguese players currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). During an interview with Canal 11, Mourinho mentioned Vitinha, Gonçalo Ramos, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes as top contenders for the prestigious award. All four players, according to Mourinho, have shown remarkable performances and contributed significantly to PSG’s successful run during the past season. Mourinho praised the French club’s overall performance, citing their clean sweep of major trophies including the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League. “I believe this PSG squad has been the most outstanding team of the season, especially with these Portuguese players — Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes,” said Mourinho. “Although Gonçalo Ramos had fewer appearances, he consistently made decisive contributions.” The legendary manager also added with a touch of humor that he wishes for one of these players to secure the Ballon d’Or, but joked that football super-agent Jorge Mendes might be upset since he’s backing Lamine Yamal, another rising star, as the top contender. “Of course, I would love to see one of them win [the Ballon d’Or], but Jorge Mendes will probably be annoyed because he believes only his client, Lamine Yamal, should get it!” Mourinho added.
