Gasperini Backs Lookman for African Ballon d’Or After Stellar Performance

Atalanta’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini has publicly praised Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, asserting that the talented winger deserves to be in contention for the African Ballon d’Or.

Lookman has enjoyed exceptional form since the previous season, playing a pivotal role in Atalanta’s journey to winning the Europa League.

In a standout performance, Lookman netted a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, solidifying his reputation as a key player for La Dea.

This season, he has continued to impress, boasting a remarkable 13 goal involvements (8 goals and 5 assists) across all competitions.

Gasperini highlighted Lookman’s progress during an interview with Goal, stating, “He (Lookman) has had a fantastic evolution. He started well two years ago when he played alongside Hojlund, and has since adapted to various attacking partners.

This year, he has been working with Retegui and De Ketelaere.” The Atalanta manager expressed his belief that Lookman is currently among the best players in the world, adding, “He can win the Ballon d’Or in Africa.

He has significantly improved in the consistency of his performances.” Lookman continued to showcase his skills in Atalanta’s recent UEFA Champions League match against Stuttgart, where he scored the opening goal in a decisive 2-0 victory in Germany. His contributions on the pitch have made him an essential asset for the team and have kept expectations high among fans and pundits alike.

With Gasperini’s endorsement and his current form, Ademola Lookman is certainly one to watch as the season progresses, and he might just find himself among the leading contenders for individual accolades in the world of football.