Lionel Messi headlines the 11-man nominee list for the prestigious FIFA Best Player of the Year Award, but Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, despite a standout year for club and country, has been excluded.
The omission of the 27-year-old Atalanta forward has left Nigerian football fans and Super Eagles supporters disappointed, especially considering his remarkable contributions in 2023.
A Stellar Year for Lookman
Lookman’s performances over the past year have been nothing short of exceptional. He played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, scoring three goals in his debut appearance as the Super Eagles clinched the runner-up position.
At the club level, Lookman delivered a stellar season with Atalanta, where he etched his name in the history books by scoring a landmark hat trick during their Europa League triumph against Bayer Leverkusen. His contributions helped propel Atalanta to a historic victory in European competition.
Recognition, Yet Overlooked
Lookman’s achievements were previously acknowledged on the global stage when he secured an impressive 14th place in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, finishing ahead of several high-profile players. Despite this recognition, his exclusion from the FIFA Best list has sparked conversations about the underrepresentation of African talent in major international football awards.
The Elite Nominee List
The FIFA Best nominees include football’s biggest names, led by Lionel Messi. Others on the list are:
Erling Haaland and Rodri (Manchester City)
Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain)
Rising stars like Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) and Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen).
The fierce competition for this year’s award underscores the difficulty of securing a spot, yet Lookman’s omission has raised eyebrows given his recent exploits.
Fans React to Lookman’s Snub
Nigerian football fans have expressed frustration at the lack of recognition for Lookman’s achievements, viewing it as part of a broader challenge faced by African players seeking acknowledgment on the global stage.
His exclusion is particularly disappointing as his performances not only highlighted his individual brilliance but also brought attention to Nigeria’s growing influence in international football.
While Lookman may not feature in this year’s FIFA Best nominees, his continued rise offers hope that future accolades will better reflect his talent and contributions to the sport.
