Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed that his personal vote for the 2024 Ballon d’Or would go to Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman.
Softfootball understands that Lookman’s inclusion in the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist is a major achievement, as he is the only African player nominated for the award this year.
The 26-year-old enjoyed an outstanding campaign for Atalanta last season, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions.
His biggest moment came in the UEFA Europa League final, where he scored a brilliant hat-trick to help Atalanta defeat Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.
That performance sealed Atalanta’s first major European trophy and made Lookman one of the standout players of the season.
In total, the Nigerian forward scored five goals in 11 Europa League matches as Gasperini’s side went on to win Europe’s second-tier club competition.
Lookman faces strong competition for the Ballon d’Or, with players such as Vinicius Junior, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Rodri also in contention.
However, Gasperini believes Lookman deserves special recognition because of the impact he made in Atalanta’s historic European success.
The winner of the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or award will be announced on October 28.
Lookman has also started the new season strongly for Atalanta, scoring two goals and providing two assists in four league matches. In the UEFA Champions League, he has also recorded one goal and one assist in two games.
The former Leicester City and Everton forward was also involved for Nigeria in Friday’s AFCON qualifier against Libya in Uyo.
He thought he had scored in the second half, but his goal was wrongly ruled out for offside.
Lookman also had a goal disallowed in Nigeria’s 0-0 draw with Rwanda, but he scored twice in the Super Eagles’ 3-0 win over Benin Republic on matchday one.
