Lookman to battle Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodri for 2024 Ballon d’Or award

Super Eagles of Nigeria and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.

Lookman, who is the only African to make the cut, was included in the 30-man shortlist that was announced on the Ballon d’Or award X handle on Wednesday.

The former Everton and Leicester City player will be up against the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Rodri, Declan Rice, Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer.

Other players who Lookman would be up against include Emiliano Martinez, Ruben Diaz, Antonio Rudiger, Marin Odegaard, Federico Valverde, Nico Williams among others.

Lookman’s nomination did not come as a surprise following his impressive performance for Atalanta last season.

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The high point of his season was becoming the first-ever player to score a hat-trick in the final of the Europa League.

His three goals secured a 3-0 win for Atalanta against Bayer Leverkusen, who went into the game unbeaten.

Lookman also helped Atalanta reach the final of the Coppa Italia last season which they lost 1-0 to Juventus.

The 2023 edition saw reigning CAF Player of the Year award winner Victor Osimhen finish in 8th position.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or, which will be held in Paris, will be the 68th annual ceremony of the Ballon d’Or, presented by France Football, recognizing the best footballers in the world in the 2023–24 season.

For the third time in the history of the award, it will be given based on the results of the season instead of the calendar year which is the period from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024 with the ceremony billed for 28 October 2024.

UEFA will co-organize the Ballon d’Or gala for the first time, with France