Lookman and 29 other players nominated for men’s Ballon d’Or award

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has been nominated alongside 29 other male football stars for the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or award.

The list was announced on the Ballon d’Or X account on Wednesday.

The Atalanta forward, who scored three goals in last season’s Europa League final, is the only African to make the shortlist for this year’s award.

He will battle it out with players like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Rodri, Erling Haaland, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden for the title.

Others include William Saliba, Antonio Rudiger, Martin Odegaard, Lautaro Martinez, Cole Palmer, Nico Williams and others.

Also Read: Lookman fails to score as Mbappe helps Madrid beat Atalanta and win Super Cup

Lookman had a superb season with Atalanta, leading them to Europa League glory by scoring three goals in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.

He also played a key role in Atalanta’s run to the Coppa Italia final, although they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Juventus.

Currently, Lookman is with the Super Eagles in Uyo as they prepare for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

The 68th Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on October 29, 2024 in Paris.

For the first time, UEFA will co-organise the event, while France Football will continue to manage the voting process and defend the Ballon d’Or title.

Also Read: Lookman won the player of the season award for the second year in a row

Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees

Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid)

Ruben Dias (Portugal and Manchester City)

Phil Foden (England and Manchester City)

Federico Valverde (Uruguay and Real Madrid)

Emiliano Martinez (Argentina and Aston Villa)

Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City)

Nico Williams (Spain and Athletic Bilbao)

Granit Xhaka (Switzerland and Bayer Leverkusen)

Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine and Roma)

Toni Kroos (former Germany and Real Madrid player)

Vinicius Jr (Brazil and Real Madrid)

Dani Olmo (Spain and Barcelona)

Florian Wirtz (Germany and Bayer Leverkusen)

Martin Odegaard (Norway and Arsenal)

Mats Hummels (Germany, free agent)

Rodri (Spain and Manchester City)

Harry Kane (England and Bayern Munich)

Declan Rice (England and Arsenal)

Vitinha (Portugal and Paris St-Germain)

Cole Palmer (England and Chelsea)

Dani Carvajal (Spain and Real Madrid)

Lamine Yamal (Spain and Barcelona)

Bukayo Saka (England and Arsenal)

Hakan Calhanoglu (Türkiye and Inter Milan)

William Saliba (France and Arsenal)

Kylian Mbappe (France and Real Madrid)

Lautaro Martinez (Argentina and Inter Milan)

Ademola Lookman (Nigeria and Atalanta)

Antonio Rudiger (Germany and Real Madrid)

Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain and Bayer Leverkusen)

Lookman, 29 others nominated for men’s Ballon d’Or award first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.