“A blessing to me” – Ademola Lookman reacts to winning 2024 Africa Player of the Year award

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has described as a blessing, his CAF Africa Player of the Year award.

The 27-year-old former Leicester City forward stated this after receiving his award during a ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday.

“This award today is a blessing to me, to my family, to my nation, and to be recognised as the best player in Africa is something incredible and I am extremely proud of,” Lookman said.

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The player went further to admonish young people never to give way for their past failures to shape their future.

“Just over four years ago I failed in front of the world, fast forward to four years I am the best player in Africa,” he recalled.

Lookman won the award ahead of Cote d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi.

The Nigerian netted a hat-trick as Atalanta won its first-ever European trophy last season. The Italian side secured a 3-0 Europa League final win against Bayer Leverkusen. Lookman was named the Man of the Match.

Ademola Lookman made history when he became the first African Player to score a hat-trick in a major European final.

Lookman important for Club and Country

The ex-Charlton Athletic and Everton player was an important figure as the Super Eagles reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in February.

He was included in the AFCON Team of the Tournament and UEFA Europa League Team of the Season.

Lookman finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or Rankings and was the only African in the 30-man final shortlist.

Following his superlative performances for La Dea last campaign, he was deservedly named Atalanta’s Player of the Season.

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