Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman continues to shine on the global stage as he secures a nomination for the prestigious 2024 Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. The 27-year-old is among an elite group of nominees that includes legendary figures Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Premier League stars like Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.

Lookman’s remarkable season with Atalanta has propelled him into the Best Men’s Player category, where he stands shoulder to shoulder with other global stars like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Mohamed Salah. Notably, Lookman is the only African player shortlisted for the award, highlighting his extraordinary impact in both European club football and international duty for Nigeria.

Atalanta’s stunning UEFA Europa League triumph saw Lookman lead from the front, netting a memorable hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen to secure a historic title for the Italian club. Lookman’s record-breaking 17 goals and 11 assists also marked the highest goal involvement for a single player in Serie A this year.

For Nigeria, Lookman has been equally influential. His six goals in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations guided the Super Eagles to the final, and he currently tops Nigeria’s scoring chart in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers with two goals.

Ranked 14th in the Ballon d’Or race this year, Lookman is also in contention for African Men’s Footballer of the Year, where he’ll vie with fellow Nigerian star William Troost-Ekong and other African luminaries.

Now in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Lookman and the Super Eagles squad are preparing for an upcoming AFCON qualifying match against Benin Republic. The Globe Soccer Awards, organized by the Dubai Sports Council, will be held on December 27, a highly anticipated date where the best in football will gather.

2024 Globe Soccer Best Men’s Player Nominees

1. Nicolò Barella

2. Jude Bellingham

3. Hakan Çalhanoğlu

4. Dani Carvajal

5. Artem Dovbyk

6. Phil Foden

7. Antoine Griezmann

8. Alejandro Grimaldo

9. Viktor Gyökeres

10. Erling Haaland

11. Harry Kane

12. Toni Kroos

13. Robert Lewandowski

14. Ademola Lookman

15. Emiliano Martínez

16. Lautaro Martínez

17. Kylian Mbappé

18. Lionel Messi

19. Dani Olmo

20. Cole Palmer

21. Rodrigo

22. Rodrygo

23. Cristiano Ronaldo

24. Bukayo Saka

25. Mohamed Salah

26. William Saliba

27. Federico Valverde

28. Vinicius Júnior

29. Vitinha

30. Nico Williams

31. Florian Wirtz

32. Granit Xhaka

33. Lamine Yamal