Ademola Lookman finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings following a stellar season with Atalanta and Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations success. His performances, including a decisive UEFA Europa League hat-trick, solidify his reputation as one of Africa's leading football talents.
Ademola Lookman’s outstanding 2023/24 season earned him a respectable 14th-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d'Or rankings, marking a significant achievement as the sole African nominee. The Nigerian forward made headlines with his hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final, which propelled Atalanta to victory over Bayer Leverkusen. Additionally, Lookman played a key role in Nigeria’s journey to the Africa Cup of Nations final, scoring pivotal goals in the knockout stages.
This result places Lookman between Barcelona’s Dani Olmo and Spain’s Nico Williams, showing his growing prominence in European football. His 14th position is six spots below Victor Osimhen’s 2023 ranking, where Osimhen placed eighth after his remarkable season with Napoli.
Lookman’s contract with Atalanta runs until June 2026, and his annual earnings of €2.31 million make him one of the club’s top earners, though he ranks below teammate Gianluca Scamacca. Lookman’s ascent in global football underscores his impact both in club and international play, solidifying his place as one of Africa’s top football talents.
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