- Nigerian footballer Lookman has ranked 14th in the 2024 Ballon d'Or standings after an impressive season with Atalanta
- Lookman is the only African player on this year’s Ballon d'Or list and has made history with his performances, including a notable Europa League hat-trick
- The Super Eagles forward is also the frontrunner for the CAF Player of the Year award
In a remarkable achievement, Super Eagles Ademola Lookman has earned a spot among the elite, finishing 14th in the prestigious 2024 Ballon d'Or rankings.
The Super Eagles and Atalanta forward final standing was announced during the ceremony in Paris on Monday Evening, marking his first-ever nomination in the race for football’s highest individual accolade. This accolade proves Lookman’s place on the global stage after an exceptional year showing his talent and consistency.
Lookman’s rise to prominence can be traced particularly to his impressive 2023-24 season with Atalanta, where he not only netted 11 goals but also tallied seven assists across 31 Serie A matches. His stellar contributions were vital to his team’s success, helping Atalanta clinch notable victories in Italy. Lookman’s performance in European competitions particularly caught the eye, as he became the first player to score a hat-trick in a European club competition final, a historic achievement made during Atalanta’s Europa League triumph over Bayer Leverkusen.
His remarkable season has made him a favourite to clinch the CAF Player of the Year award, a prestigious title that has eluded many Nigerian stars over the years.
As the sole African in this year's Ballon d’Or list, Lookman continues a legacy of Nigerian talent in the global football arena. His compatriot, Victor Osimhen, finished eighth in last year’s Ballon d’Or rankings, becoming the first Nigerian to be nominated since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
Osimhen’s historic finish saw him outrank notable players like Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski.
For Lookman, this recognition is proof of his consistency, and his accomplishments are a source of pride not only for Nigeria but for African football.
With his eyes set on future challenges with Atalanta and upcoming international tournaments, Lookman’s journey is far from over. As he continues to shine in Serie A and potentially lead Nigeria on the continental stage, his fans and country are eager to see how high he can rise. This year’s Ballon d’Or ranking may be a first for Lookman, but it’s a potent sign of what’s yet to come for the forward.
2024 Ballon d'Or: Who will reign in a new era without Messi and Ronaldo?
Previously, TheRadar reported that as the 2024 Ballon d'Or approaches, excitement builds for one of the most anticipated nights in football.
The prestigious awards ceremony, which will be held in Paris on October 28, promises to crown the year’s finest talents, and for the first time in two decades, the footballing world must look beyond the iconic duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with neither legend in the running for the men's prize, the stage is set for a new rivalry to rise.
