Ademola Lookman Reacts to His Nomination for Ballon d’Or

Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman has received a nomination for the 2024 France Football Ballon d'Or award.

Ademola Lookman Reacted to his nomination for Ballon d’Or

Ademola Lookman Reacts to his nomination for Ballon d’Or. Credit: @molalookman Source: Instagram

The prominent Atalanta forward is now one of only eight Nigerians ever to be included in the final 30-player shortlist for this accolade.

The standout player of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League has shared his response to being nominated for this prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

Ademola Lookman was the only African player to be included in the final 30-player shortlist for the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or award, as announced by France Football.

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The Nigerian forward, who had an outstanding season with Atalanta, guided the Bergamo team to its first significant trophy in over six decades by scoring a spectacular hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.

Ademola Lookman nets a hat trick in the Europa League Finals 2024

Ademola Lookman poses a photo after netting a hat trick in the Europa League Finals 2024 against Bayern Leverkusen. Credit: @molalookman Source: Instagram

The star forward, who was named the Italian club's Player of the Season, is now the eighth Nigerian ever to receive a nomination for the award, as reported by Soar Super Eagles.

Following his nomination, the 26-year-old has shared his reaction to being selected by France Football for the prestigious award.

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In an interview with the Counter Attack Podcast, the Atalanta star discussed his reaction upon learning about his Ballon d'Or nomination and its personal significance.

Lookman recalled that he was on the team bus after a training session when he saw a post from the Super Eagles' social media account announcing his place on the Ballon d'Or shortlist.

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Here is what Lookman had to say:

I was on the bus after training when I saw our handle post that I had been nominated for the Ballon d'Or. I was a bit surprised.

Lookman admitted this while reflecting on the flood of notifications that followed.

He elaborated that he only fully grasped the significance of the nomination after talking it over with his teammate, Calvin Bassey.

Lookman further narrated:

I was with Calvin Bassey when I told him, and he was jumping up and down with excitement. He kept saying, 'You don’t really understand.' That was when it truly sank in.

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After attracting significant interest from various European clubs during the summer transfer window, Lookman aims to secure the highest ranking ever achieved by a Nigerian in the France Football award standings.

However, Victor Osimhen holds the record for the highest Nigerian finish, having placed eighth in the 2023 edition of the award.