Ademola Lookman joins top three ranked Nigerian Ballon d’Or stars

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

It is no longer news that Ademola Lookman was ranked 14th at the end of the 2024 Ballon d’Or this week.

The feat made the Atalanta player the third-ranked Nigeria player on the all-time Ballon d’Or ranking.

In 2023, Victor Osimhen emerged as the top-ranked Super Eagles player with his eighth-placed finish.

Former Arsenal star Nwankwo Kanu was the second-most-ranked Nigerian player as he finished 11th in 1996.

Rivers United coach Finidi George was ranked 21st in 1995, while Kanu who remained Nigeria’s sole player to make the list twice got 23rd ranking in 1999 when he was voted Africa Player of the Year.

In 1997, Victor Ikpeba, popularly called “Prince of Monaco” was ranked 32nd.

Meanwhile, after consecutively making it to the Ballon d’Or ranking in 2022 and 2023, Asisat Oshoala didn’t make the women’s list in 2023.

Barbra Banda and Tabitha Chawinga were the only African players on the women’s Ballon d’Or ranking.

Zambia’s Banda was ranked 12th, while Malawian international Chawinga finished 16th.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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