Sports
‘Special Feeling’ – Lookman Reacts To Ballon d’Or Nomination
The versatile attacker was recently named on the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious award, capping off a stellar season for both club and country. Lookman is the only African nominated this year, ahead of compatriot Victor Osimhen, who was nominated last year, and Egyptian star Mohamed Salah.
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After joining Atalanta in 2022, Lookman found his stride, finishing his first season in Serie A with 15 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances. He surpassed those numbers in his second year, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists in 45 appearances. His impressive form extended to the international stage, where he played a key role for Nigeria at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 26-year-old shared on the Counter Attack Podcast how he learned of his Ballon d’Or nomination while on international duty with the Super Eagles. “It’s a special, special feeling, man. I was on a bus on the way back from training, and I saw a handle post that I’d been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. I was a bit surprised. I kept scrolling, and then I saw loads and loads of notifications, so I knew it was real.”
Lookman also revealed his Super Eagles teammate Calvin Bassey’s excited reaction to the news. “I’m in a room with Calvin Bassey, and when I told him, he was just jumping up and down. He was very happy and was like, ‘You don’t really understand.’ That’s when I took it in,” he said.
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Lookman’s Ballon d’Or nomination follows a historic performance in the UEFA Europa League final, where he became the first player to score a hat-trick as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to lift the trophy. He also impressed at the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals and providing assists as Nigeria reached the final in Ivory Coast.
Lookman’s nomination makes him the eighth Nigerian ever to be shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or, and he is also being tipped as a leading contender for the African Footballer of the Year award. Fresh off his nomination, Lookman shone during Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda, scoring twice in the Super Eagles’ 3-0 win over Benin in Uyo and having a goal controversially ruled out in the goalless draw against Rwanda. Despite summer transfer interest from PSG, Lookman seems focused on Atalanta with the transfer window now closed.
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