By Nigerian Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, according to the list announced by France Football Magazine on Wednesday.
Last season in the Europa League, Lookman made history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final, helping Atalanta defeat German champions Bayer Leverkusen 3-0. This victory also marked Atalanta as the first Italian team to win the Europa League.
Lookman was also a key player in Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in the Ivory Coast. He scored both goals for Nigeria in their 2–0 win over Cameroon in the round of 16, and later scored their only goal in a 1–0 win over Angola in the quarter-finals.
Lookman is the only African player included in the shortlist released on Wednesday night, among 29 other nominees.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for Monday, October 28th.
