Ademola Lookman: CAF POTY favourite to challenge Messi, Ronaldo for another prestigious award

Lookman recently became the 14th-best player in the world, following the list of recent Ballon d’Or player rankings.

The winger’s impressive performance last season gave him recognition and has continued this new season, scoring six goals and providing four assists.

He has also been nominated for the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards as a result of his continuous performance this season.

In the Best Men's Player category, Lookman is nominated alongside William Saliba and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal, Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, and Chelsea star Cole Palmer.

Lionel Messi of Argentina and Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, the star of Al Nassr, are also vying for the annual award.

The Super Eagles star will be looking to clinch the award as he looks forward to also winning the African Player of the Year award.

Lookman scored a hat-trick to lead Atalanta to their first UEFA Europa League trophy, helping the Italian Serie A team defeat Bayer Leverkusen at the Aviva Stadium in May.

The 27-year-old has scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists, which is the most goal involvement by any player in the Serie A this season.

The former Everton forward has been equally impressive for the national team as he has been for the club. 

He has scored six goals this season, including three at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which helped the Super Eagles advance to the tournament final.