Ademola Lookman, who is currently 27-year-old clinched the CAF prestigious honor during the award ceremony at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, earlier today, December 16.
The Atalanta winger, who started his international football career with the England youth team, contended with Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams for the honor. Interestingly, he was deemed better than the aforementioned players.
Ademola Lookman at the 2024 CAF Awards in Morocco.
Note that since the list of nominees was announced in November, most football enthusiasts believe that Lookman was more deserving of the honor than his competitors.
The former Leicester City winger had a superb 2023-2024 season with Atalanta as he helped them to win the UEFA Europa League for the first time in the history of the Italian side.
Recall that Lookman became the first player in history to score a hat-trick in the final of the said tournament as Atalanta won the trophy by beating the German Bundesliga invincibles Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.
He was also one of the highest goalscorers at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in which he helped Nigeria finish second behind the hosts.
Last season, Ademola Lookman scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists for Atalanta. So far this season, the Nigeria international has scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists in 19 games in all competitions.
Below are major stats of Ademola Lookman in 2024:
Over 20 MOTM Awards
Reached the AFCON Final
Scores brace in AFCON R16
Scores winner in AFCON QF
AFCON Team of the Tournament
Hat-trick in the Europa League final
Only African Nominated for the 2024 Ballon ‘Or