Ademola Lookman: Africa's Player of the Year

Ademola Lookman clinched the Africa Player of the Year title by showcasing outstanding achievements throughout 2024.

On Monday evening, Ademola Lookman was rightfully honored as Africa’s Player of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), concluding a remarkable year for the Nigerian in both club and country colors.

Lookman vs Cameroon (AFCON, January 2024). After topping their group at the AFCON, the Super Eagles faced fierce rivals Cameroon in the Round of 16. The match, expectedly tense, ended in a comfortable 2-0 win. Nigeria's triumph was powered by Lookman, who scored both goals with close-range finishes aided by a couple of dreadful misjudgments by Cameroon's keeper, Fabrice Ondoa.

Lookman vs "Bayer" Leverkusen (UEFA Europa League, May 2024). The tale of Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen in the 2023/24 campaign will inevitably recall how only one defeat marred an otherwise pristine season as Lookman’s hat trick of brilliant goals — a first in almost five decades in a European final — led his team to a resounding 3-0 victory over the once-unbeatable giants.

Lookman vs Hellas Verona (Serie A, October 2024). Delivering another standout show, Lookman netted twice and delivered two assists during Atalanta's 6-1 demolition of Hellas Verona just days before CAF released its Player of the Year nominees list.

Lookman vs Napoli (Serie A, November 2024). Recovering from a slow start under Antonio Conte, Napoli stormed to the Serie A summit, but were disrupted by Atalanta, with Lookman shining with two first-half goals in a 3-0 win.

Lookman vs Real Madrid (UEFA Champions League, December 2024). When Madrid arrived in Bergamo for a Champions League clash, Lookman demonstrated his prowess by netting a tricky shot past Courtois. Despite Real's 3-2 win, Lookman stood out, outperforming players like Vinicius Jr. in several metrics.