Nantes star Moses Simon set to be third Nigerian to win the Marc-Vivien Foé award In France

Nigeria’s Moses Simon has been nominated for the 2025 Marc-Vivien Foé Award, given to the best African player in France’s Ligue 1, Soccernet.ng reports.

The FC Nantes winger, who has been in excellent form this season, is bidding to become the third Nigerian to win the prestigious accolade after Vincent Enyeama (2014) and Victor Osimhen (2020).

Simon has been instrumental for Nantes, registering seven goals and eight assists in 25 league appearances. His contributions have accounted for nearly half of his team’s goals, highlighting his influence despite the club’s struggles this season.

Simon’s performances have once again put him in contention for the award, marking his fourth nomination after previous shortlistings in 2020, 2022, and 2024.

The former Levante forward is one of 12 players vying for the honour, alongside Morocco and PSG defender Achraf Hakimi and Evann Guessand of Ivory Coast and OGC Nice.

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Marc-Vivien Foé award: A prestigious honour

Named after the late Cameroonian footballer Marc-Vivien Foé, the award is presented annually by RFI and France 24 to the best African player in Ligue 1.

A jury of nearly 100 football journalists specializing in French and African football will decide the winner, assessing performances across the season.

To be eligible, nominees must have represented an African national team, played at least 15 Ligue 1 matches, and not changed their international allegiance during their career.

Since its inception, the Marc-Vivien Foé Award has celebrated African excellence in France’s top flight.

Enyeama made history in 2014 as the first goalkeeper and Nigerian to win, while Osimhen’s explosive season with Lille in 2019/20 saw him take the prize before earning a big-money move to Napoli.

With Moses Simon on the final shortlist, hopes are high that another Super Eagles star could follow in the footsteps of Enyeama and Osimhen. The winner of the 2025 Marc-Vivien Foé Award will be announced later this year.

Full list of 2025 nominees:

• Himad Abdelli (Algeria – Angers SCO / Midfielder / 25 years old)
• Eliesse Ben Seghir (Morocco – AS Monaco / Forward / 20 years old)
• Lamine Camara (Senegal – AS Monaco / Midfielder / 21 years old)
• Habib Diarra (Senegal – RC Strasbourg / Midfielder / 21 years old)
• Yahia Fofana (Ivory Coast – Angers SCO / Goalkeeper / 24 years old)
• Amine Gouiri (Algeria – Olympique de Marseille / Forward / 25 years old)
• Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast – OGC Nice / Forward / 23 years old)
• Achraf Hakimi (Morocco – Paris Saint-Germain / Defender / 26 years old)
• Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal – Olympique Lyonnais / Defender / 29 years old)
• Moses Simon (Nigeria – FC Nantes / Forward / 29 years old)
• Abdoulaye Touré (Guinea – Le Havre AC / Midfielder / 31 years old)
• Hamed Junior Traoré (Ivory Coast – AJ Auxerre / Midfielder / 25 years old)