Super Eagles of Nigeria and Atalanta of Italy forward, Ademola Lookman, is one of the 30 nominees for the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or award for best footballer in the world.
After scoring three goals to help Nigeria finish second at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, Lookman grabbed global headlines when he scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen as Atalanta won the trophy 3-0.
It was the only loss Bayer Leverkusen suffered last season.
Lookman is the only African in the Ballon d’Or shortlist which suggests a possibility of being crowned the 2024 African Footballer of the Year following the feat of his compatriot, Victor Osimhen who won it in 2023.
Some other nominees for the Ballon d’Or are Jude Bellingham of England who had a brilliant season for his club Real Madrid and the Three Lions.
Bellingham was key as Real Madrid won both the Spanish La Liga and the UEFA Champions League before helping England reach the final of Euro 2024.
The 30-man shortlist also includes several English Premier League stars such as the Manchester City quartet of Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Rodri.
Arsenal quartet of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard were also nominated as well as Cole Palmer of Chelsea.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is up for both the top award and the goalkeeping gong.
Argentina and Inter Miami Superstar Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who claimed the prize in 2023, does not make the list this time.
It is the first time since 2003 that neither the 37-year-old Messi nor five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo who is 39, have appeared on the list of nominees.
With Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, the only other previous recipients still active also left off the shortlist, a first-time winner is guaranteed.
Manchester United youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have both been nominated for the Kopa Trophy for best young player alongside Euro 2024 winner Lamine Yamal of Spain and Barcelona.
Manchester City have also been nominated for the Men’s club of the Year award after winning a fifth consecutive Premier League crown.
They will battle Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Girona and Bayer Leverkusen for the award.
In the Women’s Ballon d’Or, Lauren James, Lauren Hemp, Lucy Bronze and Khadija Shaw all got nominated.
The award is voted for by a jury of journalists from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA men’s world ranking.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on 28 October.