Ballon d’Or 2024: Ademola Lookman ranks 14th

Ademola Lookman, a forward for the Super Eagles and Atalanta, has reached a significant milestone by being ranked 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings.

The organizer of the Ballon d’Or made this announcement Monday night in Paris, France.

The Serie A player for Atalanta, a Nigerian international, was nominated for the prestigious award for the first time.

The 27-year-old forward delivered standout performances that placed him in the global spotlight. Following impressive contributions for both club and country, Lookman has been recognised as one of the top football talents this year.

Lookman is also the overwhelming favourite for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award, following his historic and remarkable Europa League exploits with Atalanta and his Ballon d’Or nomination.

The Atalanta star made history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a European club competition final during his club’s triumph over Bayer Leverkusen last season.

Lookman’s nomination comes as no surprise after an exceptional year that saw him score 11 goals and provide seven assists in 31 Serie A games for Atalanta, making him the only African player nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Last year, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen finished in eighth position in the 2023 Ballon d’Or award ceremony in Paris.

Osimhen finished ahead of prominent players such as Karim Benzema, Jude Bellingham, Robert Lewandowski, and Mohamed Salah in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings.

He became the first Nigerian footballer to be shortlisted for the award in 24 years, with former Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu the last Nigerian player to receive a nomination in 1999.

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