Akor Adams to battle Ghana's duo as LaLiga unveils 20-man African MVP award nominees — But Lookman snubbed

LaLiga has released its nominees for the 2025/26 SPORTY LaLiga MVP award on Friday, 20 Sub-Saharan African players recognised for their contributions to Spanish football this season. 

Nigeria has two names on the list and one enormous name that is not there. The conversation around all three tells you more about where Nigerian football stands in Europe right now than any league table could.

Start with the omission, because it is impossible to ignore. Ademola Lookman, former African Footballer of the Year, UEFA Europa League hat-trick hero, one of the most decorated African players of his generation, joined Atlético Madrid in the January window and has since scored four goals and registered three assists in seven appearances across all competitions. 

He scored on his debut, and has been one of the most impactful arrivals in Spain this season. His name is not on the nominees list.

The reason is procedural, not political. The award's eligibility window covers performances across the full season, but Lookman only arrived in Spain in February, too late for the nomination process. The timing worked against him, not the selectors.

But the image remains striking. The most decorated African footballer of his generation is playing in LaLiga, and LaLiga's African MVP award does not have his name on it. 

While Lookman's omission dominates the conversation, the real Nigerian celebration belongs to Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke, both at Sevilla, both nominated, both representing the Super Eagles in one of world football's most competitive leagues. 

Their stories could not be more different, and together they make for one of Nigerian football's most quietly compelling European narratives of the season.

Adams has been the bigger surprise. A striker who arrived at Sevilla without the weight of expectation that follows Lookman everywhere, he has quietly become his club's top scorer,  including a goal in a stunning 4-1 victory over Barcelona. 

Nigeria rarely produces this profile: the patient, unglamorous builder who takes his moment when it finally arrives and makes the most of every second of it. His nomination is thoroughly deserved.

Two Nigerians at the same LaLiga club, both performing, both nominated. That alone is a story Nigerian football deserves to tell louder than it has been telling it.

Ejuke, meanwhile, has contributed to a Sevilla campaign that has given the club genuine momentum. His nomination alongside Adams means Nigeria is the only nation with two players at the same LaLiga club on the list, a detail that has gone largely unnoticed but speaks to the Super Eagles' growing footprint in Spanish football.

1. Ademola Lookman - Atletico Madrid · Not Nominated

4 goals, 3 assists in 7 appearances since joining in February. Scored on debut in Copa del Rey quarterfinal. Arguably the most impactful African signing of the January window and not eligible for the award.

2. Akor Adams - Sevilla FC · Nominated

Club's top scorer this season. Scored in a 4-1 win over Barcelona. The quiet revelation of Nigeria's European season, a striker who let his football do every bit of the talking.

3. Chidera Ejuke - Sevilla FC · Nominated 

Contributed consistently to Sevilla's campaign. Nominated alongside Adams, making Nigeria the only nation with two players at the same LaLiga club on the list.

The SPORTY LaLiga MVP winner is decided by a combination of fan votes from across Sub-Saharan Africa and a panel of journalists and football stakeholders. Voting is open now and runs until Sunday 10th May 2026. 

The winner will be announced at a special event in Lagos on Saturday 23rd May, the final weekend of the LaLiga season. Nigerian fans have two names to vote for. Use it.

The award will likely go to Inaki Williams, chasing a third consecutive title or to Djene Dakonam, who has played more minutes than any other African in the division. Both would be worthy winners. 

But the Nigerian chapter of this season's LaLiga story is not diminished by who wins the trophy. Three Super Eagles in LaLiga, two nominated, and one who wasn't eligible but is already the most talked-about African in Spain. 

Next season, when the nominations drop, Lookman's name will be the first one on the list. The award missed him once. It will not be able to again.

• Inaki Williams - Athletic Club (Ghana)

• Ilaix Moriba - RC Celta (Guinea)

• Grady Diangana - Elche CF (DR Congo)

• Charles Pickel - RCD Espanyol (DR Congo)

• Djené Dakonam – Getafe CF (Togo)

• Karl Etta Eyong - Levante UD (Cameroon)

• Omar Mascarell - RCD Mallorca (Equatorial Guinea)

• Enzo Boyomo - CA Osasuna (Cameroon)

• Pathe Ciss - Rayo Vallecano (Senegal)

• Nobel Mendy - Rayo Vallecano (Senegal)

• Rahim Alhassane - Real Oviedo (Niger)

• Eric Bailly - Real Oviedo (Ivory Coast)

• David Carmo - Real Oviedo (Angola)

• Kwasi Sibo - Real Oviedo (Ghana)

• Akor Adams - Sevilla FC (Nigeria)

• Chidera Ejuke - Sevilla FC (Nigeria)

• Mouctar Diakhaby - Valencia CF (Guinea)

• Pape Gueye - Villarreal CF (Senegal)

• Thomas Partey - Villarreal CF (Ghana)

• Nicolas Pepe - Villarreal CF (Ivory Coast)