2024 Ballon d’Or: Super Eagles Star Ademola Lookman Nominated

Super Eagles and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman has been named in the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.

Lookman was nominated for the award after a remarkable performance in the Europa League final when he scored a hat-trick for Atalanta against Bayer Leverkusen. He is the single African representative on this year’s list.

Notably, neither Lionel Messi, an eight-time winner nor Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner, are among the 2024 nominees.

Lookman scored 17 goals and assisted 11 times for Atalanta last season.

The former Everton player also helped the Super Eagles reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year.

He scored two goals for Nigeria, who finished second in the competition after losing 2-1 to the hosts in the final.

The selection is primarily inspired by players from Spain’s national team, which won Euro 2024, and Real Madrid, the incumbent UEFA Champions League champions.

Full list of Ballon d’Or contenders

Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid

Lautaro Martinez – Inter

Ademola Lookman – Atalanta

Alejandro Grimaldo – Bayer Leverkusen

Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid

William Saliba – Arsenal

Lamine Yamal – Barcelona

Bukayo Saka – Arsenal

Hakan Calhanoglu – Inter

Declan Rice- Arsenal

Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

Cole Palmer – Chelsea

Vitinha – PSG

Vinicius Jr – Real Madrid

Martin Odegaard – Arsenal

Dani Olmo – Barcelona

Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen

Mats Hummels – Roma

Erling Haaland – Man City

Nicolas Willams – Athletic Bilbao

Granit Xhaka – Bayer Leverkusen

Artem Dovbik – Roma

Toni Kroos – Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid

Phil Foden – Man City

Ruben Dias – Man City

Federico Valverde – Real Madrid

Emiliano Martinez – Aston VIlla