NFF President Applauds Ademola Lookman’s Ballon d’Or Achievement, Encourages Higher Finish Next Year
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has congratulated Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman on his 14th-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or, expressing confidence in the player’s potential for an even better result in the future.
Lookman, the only African player on the 30-man shortlist for this year’s award, received this recognition after an outstanding season in both club and international football.
In a statement following the Ballon d’Or ceremony held in Paris, Gusau praised Lookman’s achievement: “The NFF commends Ademola Lookman for his feat, and we believe he has the potential to finish much higher next year.
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He was already a winner before Monday night’s gala, as the only African on the shortlist and the second highest-rated Serie A player in the race. We encourage him to continue doing his best for club and country, and the sky will be the limit for him.”
Lookman has been instrumental in Nigeria’s recent successes, including scoring three pivotal goals at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where the Super Eagles clinched second place.
His performance in club football has been equally impressive, with Lookman netting all three goals in Atalanta’s Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen and continuing to deliver in this season’s Serie A campaign.
Additionally, Lookman has shown his skill in the ongoing 2025 AFCON qualifiers, scoring twice and having two goals controversially disallowed.
Many football analysts see him as a favorite for the 2024 African Player of the Year title, potentially making him the first Nigerian to receive the honor from a fellow Nigerian since 1997, when Victor Ikpeba succeeded Nwankwo Kanu.
The first was in 1994, when Emmanuel Amuneke took over from Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory).
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