At the illustrious 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, Ademola Lookman achieved a commendable 14th place in the men’s rankings. The highlight of the night was Manchester City’s Rodri Hernández, who was awarded the prestigious Ballon d’Or as the best player in the world. Lookman, the Atalanta striker, was notably the only African player nominated in the 30-man shortlist announced by France Football earlier in October. His inclusion in this elite group was significantly propelled by his remarkable performance that led Atalanta to their first-ever Europa League title, including a historic hat-trick in the final match of the tournament.
Expressing his gratitude, the 27-year-old Lookman articulated the pride of being recognized as the lone African contender among the world’s best. He emphasized the collective achievements of his club and national team over the year. With an impressive record of 11 goals and seven assists during the Serie A season, alongside three vital contributions in Nigeria’s successful run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, Lookman’s participation in the rankings underscores his remarkable impact both at the club level and on the international stage.
The final standings of the Ballon d’Or featured a strong lineup, with Rodri taking the top honors. Following him, Kylian Mbappe and Lautaro Martinez secured the sixth and seventh positions, respectively, while young talent Lamine Yamal, who also made headlines, claimed eighth place. Toni Kroos and Harry Kane rounded out the top ten. Lookman’s 14th position places him ahead of notable players like Nico Williams and Granit Xhaka, showcasing his extraordinary performance relative to his peers.
Beyond Lookman’s achievement, the Ballon d’Or ceremony celebrated a plethora of other honors. Phil Foden, Florian Wirtz, and Dani Olmo filled the 11th to 13th spots, with younger talents and established names alike highlighted throughout the rankings. Notably, the awards were not limited to the men’s category; Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati took home the women’s Ballon d’Or, while 17-year-old Lamine Yamal received the Kopa Trophy, honoring him as the best young player in the world.
In addition to individual awards, several recognitions were given for humanitarian efforts and coaching excellence. Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso received the Socrates Award for her impactful work in the community, which highlights the broader narrative of athletes leveraging their platforms for social good. The evening also recognized Emiliano Martinez for his impactful contributions as a goalkeeper with the Yachine Trophy and celebrated both Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe as joint winners of the Gerd Muller Trophy for top goal scorers.
The award ceremony concluded with Real Madrid and Barcelona receiving honors as the men’s and women’s clubs of the year, respectively. This reflected not only the individual excellence displayed by players but also the remarkable achievements of the clubs that nurture and develop top talents. Overall, the 2024 Ballon d’Or was a night to remember, showcasing outstanding accomplishments in the world of football, as well as the growing recognition of diverse talents from around the globe, exemplified by Lookman’s historic nomination.
