Ademola Lookman reacts to Ballon d’Or nomination

Atalanta and Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman has shared his emotions after being nominated for the prestigious 2024 Ballon d’Or award.

The 26-year-old winger, the only Nigerian on the 30-man shortlist, earned the nomination after an exceptional season with the Italian club, highlighted by his hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, which secured Atalanta’s first European trophy.

Speaking on the Counter Attack podcast, Lookman described the moment he found out about his Ballon d’Or nomination.

“It’s a special, special feeling, man,” he said. “I was on a bus on the way back from training and I saw a post that I’d been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, and I was a bit surprised. I kept scrolling, then I saw loads and loads of notifications, so I knew it was real.”

Lookman also revealed that his fellow Nigerian teammate, Calvin Bassey, was overjoyed by the news.

“When I told him, he was just jumping up and down. He was very happy and was like, ‘You don’t really understand.’ That was when I took it in,” Ademola Lookman shared.

Lookman’s remarkable performance last season, including his historic Europa League final hat-trick, made him the eighth Nigerian footballer to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or. He is also considered a frontrunner for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award after helping Nigeria finish second at the 2023 AFCON and scoring three goals during the tournament.

As he continues to shine on both the club and international stage, Lookman’s rise to prominence has further cemented his place among the top African players in world football.