National Teams
“He’s very humble” — Ademola Lookman’s dad on Winning CAF Awards 2024
By: Monsurah Olatunji
It was a proud moment for Ademola Lookman’s father when his son was crowned CAF Player of the Year at the 2024 awards gala in Morocco on Monday night.
The 27-year-old Atalanta star had a remarkable season, playing a pivotal role in both his club’s and Nigeria’s success, which earned him the prestigious accolade.
Lookman’s father could hardly contain his joy and took the opportunity to express how proud he was of his son in an interview following the award ceremony. Reflecting on his son’s rise to prominence, Lookman’s father highlighted his humility and commitment to the game as key factors behind his success.
“I’m so proud of him because he’s a very committed player,” Lookman’s father shared with Calister Ojonugwa. “He’s very humble, and he doesn’t like too much publicity because he really wants to focus on his football, and that is what has taken him to this place now. So I am so much proud of him as a father.”
Lookman had a standout year, helping Nigeria reach the AFCON 2023 final and contributing to Atalanta’s historic UEFA Europa League triumph, where he scored a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen. His success on both the club and international fronts also earned him 14th place in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
In addition to his heartfelt praise for his son, Lookman’s father thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support, urging the younger generation to remain focused on their dreams.
“I want to thank everybody for their prayers, for their support, for their comments,” he said. “I also want to thank the Almighty God. I also want to tell the younger ones who are coming up to please focus on their things and their dreams, and they will get there.”
As the reigning African Player of the Year, Lookman is now focused on continuing his impressive form, having already scored eight goals and provided four assists this season.
