Ademola Lookman reaches for a place in football history at the 2024 Ballon d’Or, as Vinicius Junior emerges as the frontrunner. Find out how these top talents are reshaping the race for football’s top honor.
Only one football player from Africa has ever won the Ballon d’Or.
In 1995, George Weah received the award due to his performances with Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.
The legendary Liberian also clinched the African Footballer of the Year award on three occasions and is often regarded as one of the greatest strikers in history.
Since that time, no player from the continent has finished first in the Ballon d’Or voting.
Sadio Mane nearly clinched victory in 2022, finishing as the runner-up.
The Senegalese winger, who was with Liverpool at the time, netted 23 goals in 51 matches and played a crucial role in nearly leading the club to Champions League success.
This year, Ademola Lookman is the sole African featured in the 30-man shortlist.
Lookman earned the opportunity following a standout season with Atalanta, during which he clinched the UEFA Europa League title and netted a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Additionally, he was honored as Atalanta’s Player of the Year after completing the season with 11 goals and seven assists in 31 league appearances.
Lookman also made it to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final with Nigeria’s Super Eagles, where they were defeated by the host nation, Ivory Coast.
Is this going to be sufficient for Lookman to conclude a 29-year wait?
“I find it nearly impossible to envision Ademola Lookman winning the Ballon d’Or this year,” said Wale Agbede, Head of Sports at Plus TV.
In my opinion, the leading candidates for the Ballon d’Or are pretty clear: Vinicius Jr, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, and others.
However, it’s a significant achievement in its own right. Regardless of the outcome, history will acknowledge that he was a contender. He is undoubtedly among the top 30 football players globally now.
“I believe his chances are nearly nil, yet it’s still a remarkable acknowledgment of his accomplishments with Atalanta and the Nigerian Super Eagles.”
A prophet is probably honored in their own country or continent.
Lookman, Nigeria’s eighth nominee for the Ballon d’Or, is expected to be the leading contender for the African Footballer of the Year award at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ceremony in December.
The 25-year-old was named in a shortlist of ten players, which also featured his Nigerian teammate William Troost-Ekong, Simon Adingra from Côte d’Ivoire (Brighton & Hove Albion), Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), and Ronwen Williams representing South Africa (Mamelodi Sundowns).
In my opinion, the fact that he is the only African player nominated for the Ballon d’Or should clearly make him deserving of being named African Footballer of the Year.
Lookman played a crucial role for the Super Eagles at this year’s AFCON and had an outstanding season with his club, significantly contributing to their success.
“It seems like you’ve already found your CAF Player of the Year winner.”
Before anything else, though, we’ll find out who wins the Ballon d’Or.
Agbede disagrees with the popular choice.
In my opinion, Rodri is the best player in the world.
“And in his opinion, Bellingham surpasses Vinicius as a player,” he mentioned.
