Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has made a notable impression in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, finishing in 14th place with a total of 82 points.
This achievement highlights Ademola Lookman’s exceptional performance over the past year and the recognition he’s garnered from journalists across various countries.
The voting process for the Ballon d’Or included contributions from a diverse group of journalists representing FIFA’s top 100 ranked nations.
Lookman received a substantial amount of support, particularly from his home country of Nigeria, where esteemed sports journalist Sam Audu gave him the maximum possible points, ranking him first on his ballot.
The voting system utilized a structured point allocation method, where journalists were tasked with selecting their top ten players.
Points were awarded based on their rankings, with the player chosen first receiving 15 points, second place receiving 12, third place getting 10 points, and descending values down to one point for the tenth place. This comprehensive system of evaluation underscores the competitive nature of the Ballon d’Or voting.
Despite his success elsewhere, it was surprising that Lookman did not receive any votes from Italy, where he currently plays for Atalanta.
Sky Sports Paolo Condo, the designated Italian voter, did not include Lookman in his list, which raised eyebrows given the player’s contributions to his club.
Nonetheless, Lookman’s reputation as a talented forward was firmly established across the African continent. Notably, the Ivory Coast recognized him with a fifth-place ranking, while Ghana placed him eighth and Mali honoured him with a ninth-place vote.
His performances resonated with many nations, as Burkina Faso, Zambia, Senegal, Uganda, and South Africa all awarded him points by placing him in their top ten selections, with several giving him tenth-place votes. Additionally, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea showed significant support, both placing Lookman in seventh position.
In Europe, Greece stood out as his strongest supporter, with the country ranking him second overall — a remarkable accolade, marking his highest position from any European nation. North Macedonia and Ireland also acknowledged his talents, positioning him eighth in their selections. Moreover, Portugal recognized his impressive performances with a seventh-place vote.
Beyond Europe and Africa, Lookman’s influence reached the Caribbean and the Middle East, with Trinidad and Tobago placing him tenth and the United Arab Emirates ranking him seventh. This diverse backing from various countries further illustrates Lookman’s global appeal and the widespread admiration for his football skills.