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Super Eagles’ Star Ademola Lookman Nominated For 2024 Ballon D'or: Breaking Boundaries For Africa

 

Super Eagles’ Star Ademola Lookman Nominated For 2024 Ballon D'or: Breaking Boundaries For Africa

Ademola Lookman, a forward from Nigeria, is the only player from Africa to be selected for the coveted 2024 Ballon d'Or shortlist. This is a stunning turn of events. Lookman joins an elite group of 29 players competing for the coveted award, according to the announcement made by France Football Magazine on Wednesday. This is a noteworthy accomplishment for the player as well as his nation.

But Lookman's nomination isn't the only surprise on this year's Ballon d'Or list. For the first time in a long time, two of football's greatest icons—eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi and five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo—have not been included on the list. The absence of these titans denotes a change in the football hierarchy, opening doors for up-and-coming players like Lookman to make their mark internationally.

Ademola Lookman, who is only 26 years old, has already accomplished what many people can only imagine. Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in Italy right now, is nominated for the Ballon d'Or after an incredible season in which he was at the top of his game.  Lookman was a key player in Atalanta's historic season, which saw them win their first-ever European championship. With a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final, the Nigerian forward stole the show. His dominance throughout the season—he finished with an amazing 17 goals and 11 assists in all competitions—was a major factor in Atalanta's victory.

His service did not end there. Lookman played a significant role in the Nigerian Super Eagles' run to the Cote d'Ivoire final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year. Even though Nigeria ultimately lost the tournament, losing 2-1 to the host country in the final, his two goals were vital. Lookman's nomination for the Ballon d'Or is evidence of his undeniable talent and influence on the field, and his performances have not gone unnoticed.

A new generation of football superstars is set to arrive with the 2024 Ballon d'Or list, although Lookman's inclusion represents a victory for African football. This year's nominations are dominated by younger players who have made waves in the football world, as Messi and Ronaldo are not present. A new era in the beautiful game is being marked by players like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Vini Jr.
Both Real Madrid players who won the UEFA Champions League once again and the Spanish national team, who recently won Euro 2024, are well-represented on the list. Prominent figures like Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Rodri have also made the cut, demonstrating the breadth of talent in Europe.

The Full List of Ballon d'Or Nominees:

  • Jude Bellingham
  • Hakan Çalhanoğlu
  • Dani Carvajal
  • Martin Ødegaard
  • Dani Olmo
  • Cole Palmer
  • Rúben Dias
  • Declan Rice
  • Artem Dovbyk
  • Rodri
  • Phil Foden
  • Antonio Rüdiger
  • Alejandro Grimaldo
  • Bukayo Saka
  • Erling Haaland
  • William Saliba
  • Mats Hummels
  • Federico Valverde
  • Harry Kane
  • Vinícius Jr.
  • Toni Kroos
  • Vitinha
  • Ademola Lookman
  • Nico Williams
  • Emiliano Martínez
  • Florian Wirtz
  • Lautaro Martínez
  • Kylian Mbappé
  • Granit Xhaka
  • Lamine Yamal

While Lookman's nomination is reason for joy in Nigeria, Victor Osimhen, another well-known figure from that country, was surprisingly left off the list. Due to his outstanding performances in Italy last season, the Napoli striker was a strong candidate for the Ballon d'Or, but he was sidelined this year. Osimhen played a key role in Napoli's Serie A victory, so it's surprising that both fans and experts believe he wasn't included on the 2024 list.

With his talent for scoring goals and ability to alter the course of any match, many had predicted that Osimhen would be a mainstay on this year's shortlist. He did not make the cut, though, despite his outstanding 26 goals in Serie A last season, which fuels the ongoing discussion about what exactly it takes to be nominated for football's most prestigious award.

Lookman's placement on the Ballon d'Or list is evidence of how African talent is still developing and being acknowledged globally. Although Victor Osimhen's exclusion is disheartening, Lookman's nomination provides hope for African players hoping to make it into the elite ranks of football.  It would be historic for African football if Lookman went on to win the award or even place highly in the competition, demonstrating that the continent's talent pool is equally capable of producing elite players who can compete at the highest level.

The announcement of Ademola Lookman's 2024 Ballon d'Or nomination is a proud moment for African football in general and Nigerian football in particular. His outstanding accomplishments at the club and international levels have earned him a spot among the greatest players in the world. Lookman's rise suggests that football has a bright future ahead of it, with African players firmly in the running to win the biggest prize, as the world of football prepares to crown its new king.

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