Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman, has been nominated for the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or awards.
According to the list announced by France Football Magazine, the 26-year-old was shortlisted alongside 29 players for the coveted award on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Super Eagle players, is the only African player shortlisted alongside 29 other player for the prestigious award.
Lookman made the award nomination list after his heroics in the Europa League final where he scored a hat-trick as
The Atlanta forward scored 17 goals and made 11 assists for Atalanta last season.
Lookman was also pivotal in the club winning their first-ever European title.
The Super Eagle forward was famous for scoring a hat trick in the finals of the UEFA Europa League as Atlanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.
Lookman was also one of Nigeria’s best players at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire early this year, scoring two goals as the Super Eagles finished second behind the hosts.
The Atlanta forward, Lookman was however, reported to be in the last transfer market which closed in August.
Niger Delta Connect news reports that the Nigerian player has also been nominated for the African Player of the Year 2024 Award among other African Football players.
The award category includes other players like Victor Boniface also from Nigeria, Mohammed Salah from Egypt and Sebastian Haller from South Africa.
Last month, while Ademola Lookman was on the transfer market, Atalanta placed a firm €40 million valuation on him. Although the forward didn’t secure a move, reports indicate that he has now returned to training with the team.
It was reported that this year’s Ballon d’Or list is dominated by players from the Real Madrid team that won the UEFA Champions League and the Spanish national team which won the Euro 2024 in the summer.
Also, other notable nominees in the men’s category include Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vini Junior, and Erling Haaland.
Phil Foden, Yamine Lamal, Rodri, andvToni Kroos are also included on the list of nominees.
However, the eight-time winner and current holder of the coveted award, Lionel Messi was not listed for this years’ award as well as the five-time winner of the awards, Cristiano Ronaldo.
