Ademola Lookman said when he told his national teammate, Calvin Bassey about the development, the Fulham defender couldn’t contain himself.
Note that Lookman, who scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final as he helped Atalanta win their first European club title against Bayer Leverkusen, is the only African player nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
The former Leicester City winger will contend with Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, and Erling Haaland of Manchester City for the award.
“I was on the bus on the way back from training. I saw our handle posted that I have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. I was a bit surprised”, Ademola Lookman told Counter Attack Podcast.
“I am in a room with Calvin Bassey and when I told him, he was just jumping up and down. He was very happy and was like you don’t understand. That was when I took it in.”
Meanwhile, Ademola Lookman has identified himself, Victor Boniface, and Samuel Chukwueze as the most skillful players in the Super Eagles squad.
Additionally, the 26-year-old winger Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ola Aina, and himself are the fastest players on the team.
“I will say me but if I couldn’t say me, I will have to say Chukwueze and Boniface,” Lookman said.
On the fastest Super Eagles players, he added, “Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ola Aina, and I have got to put myself in there.”
Ademola Lookman’s contributions were key in Nigeria’s recent 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda. He scored two goals in the Super Eagles’ 3-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo on September 7.
