Ballon D’or nominee Ademola Lookman said that this year is the best year of his career

Serie A star Ademola Lookman has hailed 2024 as the best year of his career after leading Atalanta to a historic UEFA Europa League final victory against Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen in May, scoring a memorable hat-trick in La Dea's 3-0 win. Lookman was also Nigeria’s top scorer at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and, at 26, has been nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or.

Speaking to France Football, he said, "The feeling of winning and having a gold medal around your neck is unmatched. Making history in a small city like Bergamo is extraordinary. I was deeply moved when (Gian Piero) Gasperini told me a few days later that I had become part of football history. It’s an incredible honor, but I worked hard to achieve this."

On representing Nigeria, Lookman shared, "I've grown to appreciate it more over time. Even though I played for England in the youth teams and won the U20 World Cup in 2017, I chose with my heart to represent the Super Eagles because I have a strong personal connection to the country."

Regarding his Ballon d'Or nomination, Lookman said, "It feels surreal, and being the only African on the list makes it even more special. I'm proud of it. It's an honor, especially considering where I come from."