Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, forward for Atalanta, will be the continent’s lone representative at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. The 27-year-old heads into the event in top form, coming off a stellar performance in Atalanta’s recent 6-1 victory, where he scored twice and delivered two assists.
Lookman’s nomination is a significant achievement, marking him as the only African in this year’s shortlist. “It’s special being on the list and even more special being the only African,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
Lookman’s journey has been extraordinary since joining Atalanta in 2022. He played a crucial role in Atalanta’s first Europa League title, scoring a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen—the first player to do so in a European final since 1975. The Super Eagles star’s performances have also positioned him as a favorite for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award.
Despite his individual accolades, Lookman remains focused on collective goals, especially with Nigeria’s national team. His efforts were vital in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 AFCON final, where they finished runners-up to Ivory Coast.
“I’m anticipating the future because I’m looking forward to achieving great things,” he said, underscoring his relentless drive for more success.
