Ademola Lookman’s 14th-place Balon d’Or finish crowned his historic 2023-2024 season, during which he scored a hat trick in a European club cup final and led Nigeria to a second-place finish at the 2023 AFCON.
As the only African in the 2024 ranking, Ademola Lookman’s 14th-place ranking is the third-best in Nigerian history.
George Weah of Liberia remains the only African player to win the grand prize.
.@Alookman_ from @Atalanta_BC! 😃#ballondor pic.twitter.com/uwPCyg1xFW
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Ademola Lookman’s 14th-place Balon d’Or: Nigeria’s Balon d’Or History
Victor Osimhen is the closest Nigerian to the podium after taking over from Nwankwo Kanu’s 1996 11th position.
Osimhen’s 2023 Ballon d’Or 8th ranking makes him the first Nigerian to finish in the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or.
Also, he is the 8th Nigerian to get recognition in European football’s top individual prize. Sunday Oliseh, Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Findi George, Victor Ikpeba, Nwankwo Kanu, and Victor Osimhen have all taken this same path to Ballon d’Or glory.
A Tale Of A European Final Hatrick
Lookamn’s impressive campaign with Atalanta peaked with a hattrick in the Europa League final and 16 goals and 10 assists in 45 appearances.
Going up against unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen, Lookman was the star earning Atalanta, its first European trophy.
At the 2023 AFCON, a run of three goals puts him as Nigeria’s secret weapon in Cote D’Ivoire.
He was also outstanding in the run-up to Nigeria’s final finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ademola Lookman’s 14th-place Balon d’Or finish puts him in pole position to win the African Best Player prize.
Spanish midfielder Rodri emerges as the 2024 winner of the Ballon d’Or, winning his first title.
