'Huge merit' - Super Eagles forward Lookman on his nomination for 2024 Men's Ballon d'Or

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman faced the cameras shortly after Atalanta were held to a goalless draw by Arsenal in their opening match of the UEFA Champions League on Thursday night and one of the questions he was asked was to share his thoughts on his nomination for the 2024 Men's Ballon d'Or.

Lookman has been included on a 30-man shortlist for what is widely regarded as the most prestigious individual accolade in world football.

The Charlton Academy graduate has been nominated after a brilliant 2023-2024 season for club and country. 

His most outstanding feat since turning professional was scoring a sensational hat-trick to help Atalanta win the Europa League final, ending Bayer Leverkusen's 51-match unbeaten streak in the process. 

Lookman scored seventeen times from 45 appearances across all competitions last season while producing ten assists and was named Atalanta's Player of the Year.

On the international stage, he was a key player as Nigeria reached the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, scoring three times in seven games and was included in the official Team of the Tournament. 

In an interview with TNT Sports, monitored by allnigeriasoccer,.com, Lookman stated: "Yes it's definitely special. Definitely special coming from where I've come from.

"To be nominated for such an award like that is a  huge merit so I'm very pleased."

On what to expect from future Champions League matches, Lookman said: "Expect high quality games. To come up against top teams like that is difficult like we saw tonight but we got to create more chances as a team, to try to break teams like that down.

"I'm looking forward to that challenge and obviously try to do that this season."

Lookman is the eighth Nigerian footballer nominated for the Ballon d'Or, following in the footsteps of Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Sunday Oliseh and Victor Osimhen. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com