2024 Ballon d’Or: Nigeria and Atalanta star Lookman finishes 14th | OneFootball

Atalanta star and Nigeria international Ademola Lookman has finished in 14th place in the final rankings of the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Lookman finishes 14th in 2024 Ballon d’Or

BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 23: Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BCbattles for possession with Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Charlton Athletic academy graduate was the only representative from Atalanta or Nigeria on the 30-player shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. He finished as the second highest Serie A player in the final rankings, behind Lautaro Martinez of Inter, but ahead of Hakan Calhanoglu and Roma pair Artem Dovbyk and Mats Hummels.

Lookman wrote himself into footballing history when he netted a phenomenal hat-trick in the Europa League final back in May to inflict a first defeat of the season upon the then-unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen.

In doing so, he became one of only four players to ever score a hat-trick in a major European final, and the only player ever to do so in a Europa League final.

Lookman was also a key player in the Nigeria squad that made it all the way to the Africa Cup of Nations final at the start of the calendar year, although the Super Eagles were eventually pipped by hosts Ivory Coast.

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