Ademola Lookman has described his participation in the upcoming 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony as “special moment” after starring in Atalanta’s 6-1 win over Lecce in the Serie A on Saturday, Afrosport reports.
The Nigerian forward scored twice and assisted for Marten de Roon and Charles De Ketelaere, all in first half.
He will now turn his attention to the prestigious ceremony in Paris on Monday night where he was nominated as a finalist alongside 29 other names like Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Lautaro Martinez among others
“Another good performance from the team. First half was very, very good, we scored five goals and everyone was top,” Lookman told DAZN
“It’s a massive moment for the club and also for me. [Ballon d’Or nomination]. A special, special moment. We made history last year, thanks to everyone, we continue to work hard and keep going.”
The profile of Lookman rose after he scored a hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final win over Bayer Leverkusen, becoming the first to do that in the European second tier competition.
He is the eighth Nigerian to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or after Finidi George (1995), Daniel Amokachi (1995), Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (1995), Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), Sunday Oliseh (1998) and Victor Osimhen (2023).
