Ademola Lookman is crowned the new African Ballon d’Or 2024

Despite losing to Ivory Coast in the final of the Africa Cup, Nigeria has once again retained the African Ballon d’Or crown. And if Victor Osimhen won the award last year, This time it was Ademola Lookman who won the award at 27 years old… in the first nomination of his career.

“I want to thank the president, clubs and fans for the support they have given me. For me andThis award is a blessingfor me, for my family, for my team: being recognized as the best African player is something incredible, I am very proud. In four years my world has changed. I want to tell the children and the people who are watching me not to be discouraged.that they overcome their fears and can continue flying,” confessed a Lookman who has had to work hard after passing through Everton, Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester without much success.

In four years my world has changed. I want to tell the children and the people who are watching me not to be discouraged.

Ademola Lookman

The truth is that it was a very questionable nomination. Above all, because of the notable absences. A list in which Footballers of the stature of Salah, Kudus, Brahim, Boniface or Nico Jackson were not included. However, it should not detract from the excellent year that Lookman has had.

Its main competitors were Gouiri (Algeria / Rennes), Tapsoba (Burkina Faso / Bayer Leverkusen), Adingra (Ivory Coast / Brighton), Mbemba (Marseille / DR Congo), Guirassy (BVB / Guinea), Judge (Morocco / PSG), Rahimi (Al Ain / Morocco), Troost-Ekong (Nigeria / Al-Kholood) y Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns FC).

All of them presented their credentials. But It was difficult to match the 2024 mark set by Ademola Lookman who, with a hat-trick in the Europa League final, single-handedly ended Bayer Leverkusen’s undefeated record. Enough to be nominated in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Season and Player of the Year at Atalanta… in addition to the 21 goals in 41 games that have been generated this year 2024 who wants to close with the ‘Dea’ as leader of Serie A.