Ademola Lookman won the 2024 African Ballon d’Or during the CAF Awards ceremony, organized this Monday at the Movenpick Palais des Congrès in Marrakech.
This coronation marks a new stage for African football, where 15 distinctions were awarded to the best actors and actresses in the discipline this year. Among the finalists for the prestigious trophy were Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi and Lookman, with a particularly close fight between the latter, Guirassy and Adingra.
EXCEPTIONAL SEASON
The Nigerian striker has shone this year with exceptional performances. Lookman led Nigeria to the CAN final with three goals, won the Europa League with a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen, and reached the Coppa Italia final with Atalanta. His exploits put him in the elite circle of players who have scored a hat-trick in the final of a European competition, joining legends like Puskás and Di Stéfano.
TWO COMPETITORS
Opposite him, Serhou Guirassy scored 30 goals in the Bundesliga with Stuttgart, becoming the second top scorer in the championship, while Achraf Hakimi was a pillar of PSG’s cup-championship double and shone with Morocco in CAN and at the Olympics . Despite this tough competition, the jury, made up of journalists, selectors and captains, chose Lookman for his individual performances, his impact in the selection and his consistency.
On stage, Ademola Lookman expressed her gratitude: “I thank my family, my nation and everyone who has supported me. This award means a lot to me. » He succeeds Victor Osimhen and Sadio Mané, placing his name among the greatest African players, rewarded for an exceptional year.
The 27-year-old is estimated at 40 million euros according to Transfermarkt. He has played for Charlton, Everton, Leipzig, Fulham, Leicester and now Atalanta. He plays on the wings and as a number nine.
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