Ademola Lookman ranks 14th in Ballon d’Or

Atalanta forward and Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman has achieved a historic milestone, ranking 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings. This marks his first-ever nomination for the prestigious award, placing him among the world’s elite footballers and underscoring his impact for both club and country over the past year.

Lookman, aged 27, has shone in Serie A with standout performances for Atalanta, tallying 11 goals and seven assists in 31 league appearances last season. His impressive contributions extended to European competition, where he made history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a European club competition final, leading Atalanta to victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final.

Lookman’s Ballon d’Or ranking establishes him as the only African player in the top 30 this year, and he is the frontrunner for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award. This recognition follows Nigerian compatriot Victor Osimhen’s strong eighth-place finish in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings, signaling a new era of Nigerian talent on the global stage.

The last time two Nigerian players were nominated for the Ballon d'Or in successive years was over two decades ago, highlighting Lookman's achievement as a proud moment for Nigerian football.

SportsLigue