Manchester City midfielder Rodri claimed the 2024 Ballon d’Or award in Paris, taking the spotlight on a night that was also momentous for Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman where he finished 14th overall.
Rodri claimed the best player in world award ahead of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior who was tipped as favourite after winning both the Champions League and the Spanish LaLiga.
The Spanish was able to edge Vinicius Junior to the award after winning a fourth-straight Premier League trophy with Manchester City and also winning the European Championships with Spain. Rodri’s City also won the Club World Cup.
Lookman, who finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings, was the only African player nominate for this year’s award.
Lookman’s impressive year with Atalanta, capped by a hat-trick that clinched the club’s first European trophy, earned him his spot on the list. The 27-year-old’s performance also helped Nigeria reach the Africa Cup of Nations final, underscoring his impact both domestically and internationally.
“Being here tonight is a big achievement for my country, my club, and my fans,” Lookman remarked on the red carpet. “It’s a special night.”
Lookman’s 14th-place finish marks the second consecutive year a Nigerian player has been ranked among the world’s best, following Victor Osimhen’s 8th-place spot in 2023. His placement reflects a rising presence of Nigerian talent on the international stage, harking back to the nation’s golden era of football accolades in the 1990s.
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