Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has finished in a commendable 14th place at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ranking, a position that highlights his phenomenal year on both club and national fronts.
Lookman’s impressive ranking comes after a year of laudable achievements with Atalanta and the Super Eagles, underscoring his influence in African and European club football.
The 27-year-old London-born forward was pivotal for Atalanta’s triumphs, particularly in their UEFA Europa League campaign.
His hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen was the defining moment that secured Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy, marking a significant milestone in his club career.
His impact extended to Italy’s domestic competitions as well, as he guided Atalanta to the Coppa Italia final where they lost to Juventus.
His 14th-place finish placed him above the likes of Euro 2024 winner Nico Williams, Arsenal pair Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, and Chelsea's Cole Palmer, among others.
Lookman: Leading and making history with Nigeria
On the international stage, Lookman’s rise continued with a stellar performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where his contributions were crucial to Nigeria’s silver-medal finish.
Scoring three goals and making an assist in seven appearances, he was instrumental in pushing the Super Eagles to the tournament final, earning him a spot in AFCON’s Team of the Tournament.
Lookman’s achievements have also made him the favorite for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award, where he competes with compatriot William Troost-Ekong and other notable African stars.
Lookman’s top-15 finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings places him in elite Nigerian company, as only eight Nigerians have made it to the list since the mid-nineties, when the country's football began gaining international attention.
With his 14th-place finish, Lookman now boasts the third-highest Ballon d’Or ranking by a Nigerian, following Osimhen’s eighth-place (2023) and Kanu Nwankwo’s eleventh-place (1996) finishes.
