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Ademola Lookman has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award and is the only African in the 30-man shortlist.
The nominees were announced on Wednesday and 26-year-old Atalanta forward has been duly recognised for his outstanding performances throughout the year.
He also becomes the first-ever Atalanta player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or award.
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Lookman scored thrice against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023/24 Europa League final as Atalanta lifted the title. The unbelievable feat meant he became the first player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League Final.
He is also the first African player to score a hat-trick in a major European final. He was also named the Man of the Match.
In February, he guided Nigeria’s Super Eagles to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He was the team’s top scorer as the three-time winners emerged runners-up.
He was named in the Team of The Tournament in both the UEFA Europa League and the AFCON.
Gasperini nominated
In the same vein, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has been shortlisted for the 2024 Coach Of The Year award.
Gasperini is among the six nominees for this award. Other managers named in this category are Lionel Scaloni, Xabi Alonso, Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, and Luis De La Fuente.
The 2024 award ceremony will take place at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on 28 October.
In a post on their X social media account, Atalanta congratulated both Lookman and Gasperini.
Tags: AFCON, #NewsRoundTheClock, #nrtcnigeria, #nrtcnews, #nrtcnewsnigeria, #nrtcsports, Atalanta, Gian Piero Gasperini, Ademola Lookman, Europa League, Super Eagles, Ballon d’Or.
