Ademola Lookman Ranked 14th in 2024 Ballon d’Or: Joins Elite List of Nigerian Footballers

Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has been ranked as the 14th best male footballer in the world, following the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Lookman’s ranking places him among the few Nigerian footballers to break into the Ballon d’Or’s top 15, joining legends Kanu Nwankwo, who placed 11th in 1996, and Victor Osimhen, who finished 8th in 2023.

Lookman, aged 27, was the sole African on the 30-player shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or, a testament to his standout performances with both his club, Atalanta, and the Nigerian national team. During the 2023/24 season, Lookman notched an impressive 17 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, solidifying Atalanta’s position in Serie A.

One of his season highlights was his stunning hat trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, clinching Atalanta’s first-ever European title. Additionally, Lookman excelled on the international stage, playing a key role in Nigeria’s journey to silver at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, where he scored three goals and was named to the tournament’s Best XI alongside Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong.

Lookman’s achievement has also made waves as he edged out renowned players such as Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and William Saliba in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings.