Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman reached an impressive career milestone by ranking 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings, as revealed Monday evening in Paris, France, by the award’s organizing committee.
This marks Lookman’s first-ever nomination for football’s most prestigious individual honor, spotlighting the Nigerian international’s exceptional talent.
The 27-year-old, currently showcasing his skills in Italy’s Serie A with Atalanta, has become a global sensation after delivering standout performances both for his club and the Nigerian national team over the past season.
Following his stellar season, Lookman has also emerged as a clear frontrunner for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award.
His recent achievements have fueled this momentum, especially his historic displays in the Europa League with Atalanta and his inclusion in the Ballon d’Or nominations.
Lookman’s performance in Atalanta’s triumph over Bayer Leverkusen saw him etch his name in history as the first player ever to net a hat-trick in a European club competition final.
The Atalanta forward’s nomination is a well-earned nod after a remarkable season, with 11 goals and seven assists in 31 Serie A games—a tally that solidified him as Africa’s sole representative on this year’s Ballon d’Or list.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles teammate Victor Osimhen set a new standard, in 2023, achieving eighth place in the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris.
Osimhen’s ranking placed him ahead of globally renowned players like Karim Benzema, Jude Bellingham, Robert Lewandowski, and Mohamed Salah.
This made him the first Nigerian to secure a Ballon d’Or nomination in 24 years, following former Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu’s nomination in 1999.
