Nigeria and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman has made history by securing 14th place in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, marking a phenomenal year with standout performances for both club and country.
Lookman’s ranking establishes himself as the highest-placed African player on this year’s prestigious list and the second-highest representative from Serie A, trailing only Inter Milan’s and Argentina Lautaro Martinez.
As the sole nominee from Atalanta and Nigeria on the Ballon d’Or 30-player shortlist, the 27-year-old former RB Leipzig star outperformed other Serie A talents, including Hakan Calhanoglu, and Roma’s Artem Dovbyk and Mats Hummels.
Lookman’s standout moment of the year came in May, when he made history by scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final, handing Bayer Leverkusen their first defeat of the season.
This feat made him one of only four players to score a hat-trick in a major European final and the first to do so in a Europa League final.
On the international stage, Lookman played a crucial role in Nigeria’s journey to the Africa Cup of Nations final, where the Super Eagles narrowly lost to hosts Ivory Coast.
Lookman is now a leading contender for the CAF Africa Player of the Year award next month, with hopes of succeeding fellow Nigerian Victor Osimhen
