Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has been named on the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.
The prestigious award, organized by France Football, recognizes the best footballer in the world each year.
Lookman, who plays for Italian club Atalanta, joins a select group of world-class players, marking a milestone in his career and making him the only African player nominated for the award this year.
Lookman, 26, has had an outstanding season both at club and international levels.
He helped Atalanta to win their first-ever European title last season, playing a crucial role in their Europa League victory.
Lookman made headlines when he scored a stunning hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, leading his team to a 3-0 triumph.
His individual brilliance on the field caught the attention of football fans around the world, earning him a place among the elite footballers nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Speaking about his nomination, Lookman expressed his gratitude: “It’s an honor to be recognized among the best in the world.
“I have worked hard, and it’s a dream come true to be on this list. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and everyone who supported me.”
Earlier this year, he played a key role in the Super Eagles’ journey to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria finished as runners-up after a 2-1 loss to the host nation, but Lookman’s performances were crucial to their success.
He scored three important goals during the tournament, further cementing his reputation as a top player in African football.
This nomination makes Lookman the second Nigerian player to receive recognition in the Ballon d’Or race in recent times.
Last year, his Super Eagles teammate, Victor Osimhen, finished 8th in the final Ballon d’Or rankings after a stellar season with Napoli.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist features a new generation of football talent, with some noticeable absences.
For the first time in two decades, the legendary Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not included in the nominees’ list.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and last year’s recipient, did not make the cut, while Ronaldo, a five-time winner, is also absent.
The absence of Messi and Ronaldo signals a shift in the football landscape, as younger stars like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Jude Bellingham take centre stage.
These players, along with others like Vinícius Jr. and Bukayo Saka, have emerged as the new faces of global football.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or race will be highly competitive, with Lookman facing stiff competition from some of the biggest names in football.
Among the 30 nominees are standout players such as Jude Bellingham, who had a remarkable season with Real Madrid and the English national team, and Kylian Mbappé, who continues to shine for Paris Saint-Germain and France. Erling Haaland, who had a record-breaking season with Manchester City, is also one of the favorites to win the award.
