Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles winger, has etched his name in history as the third Nigerian to break into the prestigious Ballon d’Or top 15 rankings, following in the footsteps of Kanu Nwankwo in 1996 and Victor Osimhen in 2023.
The 27-year-old was ranked as the 14th best male footballer in the world during the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony held on Monday at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris. Lookman was the sole African player to make the 30-player shortlist for the 2024 award, and he joins a growing list of Nigerian footballers who have been recognised on the global stage.
In 2023, Victor Osimhen became the first Nigerian in history to break into the Ballon d’Or top 10, finishing eighth overall. Prior to Osimhen, Kanu Nwankwo was the last Super Eagles player to achieve a top 15 ranking, finishing 11th in 1996.
Lookman’s stellar performances in the 2023/24 season for Italian club Atalanta earned him this prestigious recognition. The winger contributed 17 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, playing a crucial role in Atalanta’s strong Serie A campaign. Additionally, he netted a hattrick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, securing Atalanta’s first-ever European title.
At the international level, Lookman was one of Nigeria’s standout players at the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire. He scored three goals and helped the Super Eagles to a silver medal, earning a spot in the tournament’s Best XI alongside team captain William Troost-Ekong.
Lookman placed ahead of notable players such as Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and William Saliba on the 2024 Ballon d’Or ranking, further cementing his position among the world’s elite footballers.
