Nigerian footballers Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have earned prestigious nominations for the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) Men’s World Best Player Award for 2024. The Super Eagles stars are the only African players to make the shortlist this year, standing out for their exceptional performances both at club and international levels.
Lookman, who plays for Serie A side Atalanta, caught the eye with his impressive contributions during the club’s successful UEFA Europa League campaign last season. The 27-year-old winger played a pivotal role in securing La Dea’s victory, notably scoring a memorable hat-trick in their 3-0 triumph over Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in the final. His stellar form continued with Nigeria, where he found the back of the net three times in seven matches during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Osimhen, currently on loan at Turkish club Galatasaray from Napoli, also had an outstanding season. The forward netted 15 goals in 25 league appearances for Napoli last season and was a key figure in Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 campaign. His consistency in front of goal has earned him recognition as one of the top strikers in the world.
Among the other high-profile nominees is Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who won the IFFHS award last year and is again in contention for 2024.
The inclusion of Lookman and Osimhen in this global shortlist is a significant achievement for African football, highlighting their growing influence on the international stage.
