FULL LIST: Ademola Lookman Becomes Nigeria’s Lone Nominee for 2024 Ballon d’Or

Nigerian football star Ademola Lookman has been named among the elite contenders for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, as revealed by France Football Magazine on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Super Eagles winger is the only Nigerian on the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious award, which honors the world’s best footballer.

Lookman had an outstanding season with Atalanta, scoring 17 goals and providing 11 assists. His contributions were instrumental in the Italian club’s historic triumph in the UEFA Europa League, where he netted a hat-trick in the final to secure a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

In addition to his club success, Lookman also shined on the international stage. He was one of Nigeria’s standout players at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, where the Super Eagles finished as runners-up. Lookman scored twice during the tournament, further solidifying his reputation as one of Africa’s top talents.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees include several other football luminaries such as Jude Bellingham, Vini Jr., Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe. Notably, this year’s list marks the first time since 2003 that neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi has been included, signaling a potential shift in football’s global hierarchy.

Complete List of 2024 Ballon d’Or Nominees:

Men’s Category:

Jude Bellingham

Hakan Çalhanoğlu

Dani Carvajal

Martin Ødegaard

Dani Olmo

Cole Palmer

Rúben Dias

Declan Rice

Artem Dovbyk

Rodri

Phil Foden

Antonio Rüdiger

Alejandro Grimaldo

Bukayo Saka

Erling Haaland

William Saliba

Mats Hummels

Federico Valverde

Harry Kane

Vinícius Jr.

Toni Kroos

Vitinha

Ademola Lookman

Nico Williams

Emiliano Martínez

Florian Wirtz

Lautaro Martínez

Kylian Mbappé

Granit Xhaka

Lamine Yamal

Women’s Category:

Barba Banda

Marie-Antoinette Katoto

Aitana Bonmati

Alyssa Naeher

Lucy Bronze

Sjoeke Nüsken

Mariona Caldentey

Ewa Pajor

Tabitha Chawinga

Salma Paralluelo

Grace Geyoro

Gabi Portilho

Manuela Giugliano

Alexia Putellas

Caroline Graham Hansen

Mayra Ramírez

Patricia Guijarro

Trinity Rodman

Giulia Gwinn

Lea Schüller

Yui Hasegawa

Ada Hegerberg

Khadija Shaw

Sophia Smith

Lauren Hemp

Mallory Swanson

Lindsey Horan

Tarciane

Lauren James

Glódís Viggósdóttir

Lookman’s inclusion in this esteemed list not only highlights his exceptional performance last season but also puts Nigerian football in the global spotlight as he competes for the most coveted individual award in the sport.