Home News Ademola Lookman Makes Ballon d’Or Shortlist, Messi, Ronaldo Not Shortlisted
NewsSports

Ademola Lookman Makes Ballon d’Or Shortlist, Messi, Ronaldo Not Shortlisted

736

Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has been named among the 30 players shortlisted for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, as announced by France Football Magazine on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Nigerian stands as the only African player on the list, following in the footsteps of his compatriot Victor Osimhen, who finished in the top 8 last season.

Lookman’s performances for Atalanta last season played a pivotal role in the club’s first-ever European trophy win.

His hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen was a highlight, capping off a season in which he scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists for the Italian side.

Lookman helped Nigeria reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year, where the Super Eagles finished as runners-up after a 2-1 loss to the hosts.

Neither Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, nor Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner, made the list this year.

The shortlist is dominated by players from the Spanish national team, fresh off their Euro 2024 win, and Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League champions.

30 nominees below: 

  • Jude Bellingham
  • Hakan Çalhanoğlu
  • Dani Carvajal
  • Martin Ødegaard
  • Dani Olmo
  • Cole Palmer
  • Rúben Dias
  • Declan Rice
  • Artem Dovbyk
  • Rodri
  • Phil Foden
  • Antonio Rüdiger
  • Alejandro Grimaldo
  • Bukayo Saka
  • Erling Haaland
  • William Saliba
  • Mats Hummels
  • Federico Valverde
  • Harry Kane
  • Vinícius Jr.
  • Toni Kroos
  • Vitinha
  • Ademola Lookman
  • Nico Williams
  • Emiliano Martínez
  • Florian Wirtz
  • Lautaro Martínez
  • Kylian Mbappé
  • Granit Xhaka
  • Lamine Yamal

Read More:

About The Author

Related Articles

NewsPoliticsWorld

Tanzanian President Uses Banned Platform X for Campaign Messages — The Height of Political Hypocrisy

Tanzania’s president has come under criticism after posting a series of campaign...

Sports

Diplomacy And Burkina Faso’s Disqualification From 2026 World Cup Tournament

In the heat of nations jostling for space in the 2026 World...

News

Nigeria: FG Terminates CCECC’s Port Harcout-Aba Road Contract After Gov Otti’s Warning On 2027 Election Manipulation

The Nigerian government has terminated the 43-kilometre Port Harcourt–Aba Road contract awarded...

Human RightsNews

Five Years After EndSARS, Nigerians Urged To Light Candles In Memory Of Fallen Protesters

As Nigeria marks five years since the 2020 EndSARS protests, a coalition...