Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman Nominated For 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or Award [Full List]

Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman has been nominated for the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or award.

France Football Magazine released the list of 30 nominees on Wednesday, and Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in Italy, is the only African player shortlisted for this prestigious honor.

Surprisingly, Lionel Messi, an eight-time winner and last year’s Ballon d’Or recipient, did not make the list. Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner, is also absent for the first time since 2003.

Ademola Lookman had an outstanding season with Atalanta, helping the club win its first-ever European trophy. He made a significant impact by scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.

In total, the 26-year-old striker scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists for Atalanta last season.

He also played a key role for Nigeria’s Super Eagles in their journey to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Côte d’Ivoire earlier this year, scoring two goals in the tournament.

Nigeria finished as runners-up after a 2-1 loss to the host nation in the final.

This year’s Ballon d’Or nominations are heavily dominated by players from Spain’s national team, which won Euro 2024, and Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League winners.

Some notable names on the list include Jude Bellingham, Vini Junior, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Yamine Lamal, Toni Kroos, Phil Foden, and Rodri.

The absence of Messi and Ronaldo marks the first time in two decades that neither player has been nominated.

2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees:

1. Jude Bellingham
2. Hakan Çalhanoğlu
3. Dani Carvajal
4. Martin Ødegaard
5. Dani Olmo
6. Cole Palmer
7. Rúben Dias
8. Declan Rice
9. Artem Dovbyk
10. Rodri
11. Phil Foden
12. Antonio Rüdiger
13. Alejandro Grimaldo
14. Bukayo Saka
15. Erling Haaland
16. William Saliba
17. Mats Hummels
18. Federico Valverde
19. Harry Kane
20. Vinícius Jr.
21. Toni Kroos
22. Vitinha
23. Ademola Lookman
24. Nico Williams
25. Emiliano Martínez
26. Florian Wirtz
27. Lautaro Martínez
28. Kylian Mbappé
29. Granit Xhaka
30. Lamine Yamal

2024 Women’s Ballon d’Or Nominees:

1. Barba Banda
2. Marie-Antoinette Katoto
3. Aitana Bonmati
4. Alyssa Naeher
5. Lucy Bronze
6. Sjoeke Nüsken
7. Mariona Caldentey
8. Ewa Pajor
9. Tabitha Chawinga
10. Salma Paralluelo
11. Grace Geyoro
12. Gabi Portilho
13. Manuela Giugliano
14. Alexia Putellas
15. Caroline Graham Hansen
16. Mayra Ramírez
17. Patricia Guijarro
18. Trinity Rodman
19. Giulia Gwinn
20. Lea Schüller
21. Yui Hasegawa
22. Ada Hegerberg
23. Khadija Shaw
24. Sophia Smith
25. Lauren Hemp
26. Mallory Swanson
27. Lindsey Horan
28. Tarciane
29. Lauren James
30. Glódís Viggósdóttir

KanyiDaily recalls that last year, Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen achieved the remarkable feat of securing the 8th Best Player position at the 2023 Ballon d’Or event held in Paris, France.