Nigeria international Ademola Lookman’s 2024 Ballon d’Or ranking has been confirmed, MySportDab reports.
The Atalanta winger is the only Nigerian footballer that was nominated for the award following a heroic campaign for club and country.
Lookman’s heroics in the 2024 Europa League final saw Atalanta emerged winners of the second-tier club competition in Europe.
He became the first footballer to score a hat-trick in a European club competition final, netting all the three goals that saw the Serie A side raced to a 3-0 victory and clinch the trophy, ending Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run.
On the international scene, Lookman starred for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, emerging the team’s top scorer in 2023 AFCON and leading the charge as they sailed to the final of the competition.
The 25-year-old scored thrice and provided two assists as the three-time African glided to the final of the competition before losing to hosts Ivory Coast.
Overall, Lookman’s scored 22 goals with 11 assists in 64 matches for club and country in 2024, earning him nomination for the award.
He is ranked 14th on the chart following the standout performances in the said year. Lookman’s fourteenth place ranking has seen him fell six places from where another Nigeria international Victor Osimhen finished last year.
Osimhen was the highest-ranked Nigerian footballer on the chart after he came out 8th on the ranking after helping Napoli win the 2022-23 Serie A title with a league-leading Serie A 26 goals.
However, Lookman ha been the most in-form Nigerian footballer, playing a crucial role for club and country in 2024.
He will hope to continue on his top performances going forward.
