Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman has made headlines once again, earning a nomination for the prestigious 2024 Best Men’s Player award at the annual Globe Soccer Awards. This high-profile event, hosted by the Dubai Sports Council, celebrates the world’s top footballing talents and will be held on December 27th, alongside the 19th Dubai International Sports Conference.
The exciting announcement was made on Thursday via X (formerly Twitter), sending waves of excitement across the football community. Lookman joins an elite shortlist that includes global superstars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Mohamed Salah. Notably, Salah and Lookman are the only African players to be nominated, a testament to their extraordinary impact on the sport over the past year.
Beyond the likes of Messi and Ronaldo, other nominees include Robert Lewandowski, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Federico Valverde, Vinícius Júnior, and Alejandro Grimaldo. Each player has made an indelible mark on the game, but Lookman’s journey stands out, especially for his contributions both at the club and international level.
The 27-year-old Lookman has enjoyed a stellar year, showcasing his immense talent in a series of unforgettable performances. For Nigeria, he was a standout at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Côte d’Ivoire. On the club side, he delivered a historic hat-trick for Atalanta during the UEFA Europa League final, a moment that will be remembered by fans and pundits alike.
His accomplishments have not gone unnoticed, as he also secured a 14th place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings and remains a top contender for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
As the football world looks ahead to the 15th edition of the Beyond Development Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, all eyes will be on the event in December. It promises to be a celebration of football excellence, and for Ademola Lookman, the nomination is yet another milestone in a truly remarkable career.
