Lookman Only African Nominated for Men`s Ballon d`Or

Three African football stars have been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d'Or awards, with Nigeria's Ademola Lookman making the prestigious 30-man shortlist for the men’s category. Lookman, who plays for Italian side Atalanta, stands out as the sole African nominee on the list, which includes top players from both England and Spain. Lookman’s inclusion follows a stellar year, where he not only shone for his national team, Nigeria, but also made significant contributions to his club. The 26-year-old forward played a pivotal role in helping Nigeria reach the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals before losing 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast.

In addition, Lookman’s 11 goals helped Atalanta finish fourth in Italy’s Serie A, securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League. He also delivered a memorable performance in the Europa League final, scoring a hat-trick to secure a 3-0 victory against Bayer Leverkusen, handing the German side their only loss of the season. Despite transfer rumors linking Lookman to Paris St-Germain, he has stayed with Atalanta, and fans across Italy and West Africa are eager to see how he builds on his 2024 success. Other African Nominees In the women’s category, Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga have been recognized for their remarkable performances. Banda has become a star in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), where she joined Orlando Pride, becoming the second-most expensive player in women’s football. The Zambian captain has continued her goalscoring exploits at the 2024 Paris Olympics, further solidifying her reputation. Chawinga, who recently joined Lyon from Paris St-Germain, scored 18 goals in 19 appearances for PSG last season and continues to shine alongside her sister, Temwa Chawinga, who also plays in the NWSL.

No Messi or Ronaldo for the First Time Since 2003 For the first time in over two decades, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo has made the Ballon d'Or shortlist, signaling a new era for the prestigious award. Previous winners Luka Modric and Karim Benzema were also left off the list, ensuring that a new face will claim the prize. The winners will be announced at a grand ceremony in Paris on October 28, 2024. ⚡ Image Credit: GettyImages