Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has been recognised for his standout performances last season, receiving a nomination for the prestigious Gran Galà del Calcio awards, which honours the best of Italian football.
The former Everton and RB Leipzig player had a fine season last term, during which he contributed to a historic, match-winning performance for his club, Atalanta, in the UEFA Europa League final against German club Bayer Leverkusen.
During the business end of last season — April onwards — no player across Europe's ‘Big 5’ leagues recorded more goal contributions than Lookman's 14 (eight goals and six assists).
With impressive performances for both club and country, the 27-year-old has earned recognition on the global stage, including a notable Ballon d'Or ranking, a spot at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards, and a place among the final five nominees for the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year.
Lookman: What you need to know about the Gran Galà del Calcio Awards
The Gran Galà del Calcio is a prestigious annual event that honours excellence in Italian football, acknowledging the top players, coaches, clubs, and referees of the previous calendar year.
The award recipients are selected through voting by members of the Italian Players' Association (AIC), with the winners to be revealed at a formal ceremony on December 2.
Lookman has been nominated in the Forward of the Year category, alongside fellow contenders Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan, as well as Rafael Leao of AC Milan.
Lookman's club, Atalanta, is also in the running for the coveted Serie A Club of the Year title, competing against Inter Milan and Juventus.
His La Dea manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, is vying for Coach of the Year honours, alongside Simone Inzaghi of Inter Milan and Thiago Motta of Bologna/Juventus.
Lookman, born to Nigerian parents in south London, started off his career in the British capital with Charlton Athletic.
And with the exception of a spell with German top-flight side RB Leipzig, he had spent the entirety of his career in England's Premier League, where he represented Everton and had loan stints with Fulham and Leicester City.
In 2022, however, he completed a move to Serie A outfit Atalanta, where he currently plays.
