CAF announces Lookman as 2024 African best player

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has named Nigerian sensation, Ademola Lookman, as the continent’s best male player for 2024.

The announcement was made at the award ceremony held on Monday.

2023 winner Victor Osimhen and 2022 winner Mohamed Salah were not named to the final shortlist.

Other nominees for the 2024 crown were Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast / Brighton), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / PSG), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta), Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns).

Super Falcons goalie 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐍𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐳𝐢𝐞 was also named Africa Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year while the Nigerian Super Falcons was declared as Women Football Team of the year.

In October, Lookman was also ranked 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings.

This was announced in Paris, France by the Ballon d’Or organiser.

The Nigerian international, who plays in Serie A for Atalanta, received his first nomination for the prestigious award.

The 27-year-old forward delivered standout performances.

Ademola Lookman…

Born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, England, to Nigerian parents, Lookman began his football career at Charlton Athletic’s academy, joining the club at the age of nine.

Lookman’s impressive performance at Charlton Athletic earned him a call-up to the England U-19 team in 2015.

He made his senior debut for Charlton Athletic on November 3, 2015, in a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

His impressive display caught the attention of top clubs, and he eventually signed for Everton in January 2017 for a reported fee of £7.5 million.

At Everton, Lookman struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, making only 36 appearances for the club.

He was loaned out to RB Leipzig in January 2018, where he scored 5 goals in 11 appearances.

His impressive performance earned him a permanent transfer to RB Leipzig in July 2019, signing a five-year contract.

Lookman also had loan stints at Fulham and Leicester City before joining Atalanta in August 2022.

At Atalanta, Lookman has established himself as a key player, scoring crucial goals and providing assists for his teammates.

Lookman initially represented England at various youth levels, including the U-20 team that won the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

However, he later switched allegiance to Nigeria and made his senior debut for the Super Eagles in March 2022.

Lookman’s achievements include winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup with England in 2017 and being named the Atalanta Player of the Season for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons.

He was also nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2024. Recently, he was awarded the CAF African Player of the Year award for 2024.

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