Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman secured a 14th-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings ahead of the official ceremony tonight in Paris.
The 27-year-old stood as Africa’s lone representative in the final 30-man shortlist for the award.
Lookman’s remarkable season with Atalanta earned him this prestigious nomination.
He was instrumental in their UEFA Europa League victory, netting a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen to deliver Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy. He wrapped up the season with 11 goals and seven assists in 31 league appearances, earning him the club’s Player of the Year award.
On the international front, Lookman was equally influential for Nigeria, helping lead the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, where they ultimately fell to hosts Ivory Coast.
Lookman’s finish places him as the second Nigerian in two years to reach the Ballon d’Or top 15, following Victor Osimhen’s eighth-place finish in 2023.
With his 14th ranking, he finished ahead of players like Nico Williams (15) Martin Ordegard,(19) Cole Palmer, (25), Bukayo Saka ( 21) among others.
Looking ahead, Lookman is also in the running for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, set for December 16, 2024.
As of now, George Weah remains the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or, a feat he achieved in 1995.
Recently, Sadio Mane came close with a second-place finish in 2022, highlighting Africa’s continued rise in the global football arena.
Latest Stories
-
Grains Development Bill: Stakeholders clamour focus on value addition to boost sector growth
3 mins -
Lamine Yamal crowned Kopa Trophy winner
9 mins -
Curfew imposed on Bawku amid rising tensions, loss of lives
25 mins -
Backlash after comedian at Trump rally calls Puerto Rico ‘island of garbage’
1 hour -
How can the US determine how Ghana’s democracy is formulated? – Antwi-Danso on new visa policy
1 hour -
Hindsight: Prince Tweneboah serves a reminder of Ghana Premier League’s storied past
2 hours -
Ballon d’Or executive hits out at ‘liars’ after results are ‘leaked’ ahead of ceremony
2 hours -
Ballon d’Or: Nigeria’s Lookman finishes 14th in ranking
2 hours -
Incidence of injuries in mining industry surged 600% in 2023 – Ghana Chamber of Mines urges doubling safety efforts
2 hours -
MFWA welcomes US visa restrictions for persons who subvert democracy
2 hours -
Nigerian Digital Rights and Freedom Bill reintroduced as PIN reinforces online human rights
3 hours -
Empowering journalists: A training initiative to enhance health reporting in Ghana
3 hours -
Rotary Club Ghana urges political parties to commit to peaceful elections
3 hours -
US announces new visa restriction policy for people undermining democracy in Ghana
3 hours -
Chris Arthur accuses Cynthia Morrison of involvement in Agona West shooting
3 hours