Super Eagles and Atalanta FC forward, Ademola Lookman, is one of the nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or, which fnal ceremony holds next month.
Lookman short into great prominence after his three goals won the Europa Cup for Atalanta last May.
He is potentially an African Footballer Award winner for the current season.
He was a silver medal winner with Nigeria at the last AFCON 2023 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire last February. Being the only African on the Ballon d’or shortlist already suggest a possibility of being crowned in Africa.
Others on the ballon d’Or shortlist are Jude Bellingham who had a brilliant season for both club and country in the year under review.
The Real Madrid superstar, won La Liga and the Champions League before reaching the Euro 2024 final with England, while Lookman’s bragging right stems from his brilliant performance with Atalanta not just in the domestic scene but also his hattrick that saw the Italian side winning the Europa Cup against Bayern Leverkusen last May.
Several Premier League stars have also been included on the 30-man shortlist. They include the Manchester City quartet of Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Rodri.
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal also made list same as William Saliba, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez is up for both the top award and the goalkeeping gong.
