Lookman: ‘Ballon d’Or nomination changes nothing for me’

Published on by Toyosi Afolayan

Ademola Lookman’s rapid rise in profile over the past year has culminated in a nomination for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. However, despite the growing fame and speculation about his future, the Super Eagles and Atalanta forward remains grounded, focusing on improving his game. 

After a remarkable 2023/2024 season that saw him make history with Atalanta and deliver exceptional performances for Nigeria, Lookman is now considered one of the top African footballers on the global stage.

The 26-year-old London-born winger was instrumental in Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League triumph last season, where his hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen secured the club’s first-ever European trophy. Lookman’s heroics in Dublin not only sealed Atalanta’s victory but also raised his stock significantly, drawing interest from top clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain during the summer.

Lookman: 'Ballon d'Or nomination changes nothing for me'
Photo by IMAGO

Despite nearly leaving, he chose to stay and has started the 2024/2025 season in fine form with three goals and two assists in six matches.

Lookman stays true to his values despite newfound fame

Lookman recently spoke to Gianluca Di Marzio about his newfound status and the effect of his Ballon d'Or nomination, stating that little had changed about his mindset or attitude toward the sport.

“I don't know if people's perception of me has changed; I just try to improve and become stronger every day. This is the most important thing for me,” Lookman explained.

“As far as hard work on the daily grind is concerned, my character and goals have remained the same as before.”

Lookman’s performances also helped propel Nigeria to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three crucial goals. His standout campaign made him one of the frontrunners for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award, further cementing his place among Africa’s best talents.

Avatar photo

Toyosi Afolayan

Toyosi Afolayan is a sports journalist who breathes life into the games we love. He loves to combine insightful analysis with historical background, creating a richer understanding of sports. Afolayan's expertise ranges from captivating narratives to live broadcasts, captivating audiences across platforms like Ojbsport, AllNigeriaSoccer, TVC Entertainment, Bounce Networks, Kwara TV, ICIR, EaglesTracker, and NFF TV. His background in History and International Studies adds depth, revealing the connections between sports, politics, and national identity.