Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman, has earned a remarkable achievement by ranking 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings.
The announcement was made Monday evening in Paris by the organisers of the prestigious football award.
Lookman, 27, received his first-ever nomination for the Ballon d’Or after a year filled with standout performances. Representing Nigeria and his Serie A club, Atalanta, he gained international recognition through his contributions on the field. Reflecting on this honor, Lookman said, “It’s special being the only African player on the list this year, and it motivates me to keep pushing.”
Lookman’s nomination comes after an outstanding season where he scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in 31 Serie A games.
Additionally, his historic performance in the Europa League, where he became the first player to score a hat-trick in a European club competition final, boosted his reputation on the global stage.
He is also a strong favorite for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award. Lookman’s Ballon d’Or nomination and European achievements have positioned him as a top contender for Africa’s highest football honor.
Lookman’s recognition follows last year’s achievement by fellow Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, who finished in eighth place in the 2023 Ballon d’Or standings.
Osimhen’s high rank, ahead of big names like Karim Benzema and Mohamed Salah, marked the first time
