Super Eagles player, Ademola Lookman has been ranked 14th from a list of 30 players in the 2024 Ballon d’Or Award.
Lookman achieved the feat after leading Atalanta to UEFA Europa League title upon defeating Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final at the Dublin Arena Stadium.
He recorded the three goals, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in an European final since 1975. The feat also ended Leverkusen’s 51 games unbeaten run, which in turn led to his side’s first ever continental trophy.
The winger also amassed 17 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side last season.
Lookman is now third highest ranked Nigerian player in Ballon d’Or history following Victor Osimhen, who finished 8th last year, and Kano Nwankwo in 11th in 1996.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden is ranked 11th, and Florian Wirtz, who played a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen winning the German Bundesliga last season finished 12th, and Dani Olmo in 13th place.
However, the winner of the award will be announced shortly.
The Ballon d’Or Award is an annual football award presented by the French News Magazine, France Football, and it is one of the oldest and generally regarded as the most prestigious individual award for football players.
