‘Definitely special from where I'm from’ - Lookman expresses delight at Ballon d’Or nomination

Lookman was in action for Atalanta in the Champions League and played a goalless draw with Arsenal in their opening match on Thursday night.

The forward's impressive performance from last season into the new season has earned him a spot in the Ballon d’Or list.

Lookman is one of 30 players on the shortlist for the world's most coveted individual award in football.

After the draw against Arsenal in the Champions League, Lookman was congratulated by the interviewer on his Ballon d’Or nomination and was asked how he felt about it.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Lookman stated, "Yes it's definitely special. Definitely special coming from where I've come from. To be nominated for such an award like that is a huge merit so I'm very pleased."

Lookman's most notable achievement was his incredible hat-trick in the Europa League final, which helped Atalanta defeat Bayer Leverkusen and snap their 51-game winning run.

In 45 games played in all competitions last season, Lookman scored seventeen goals and provided ten assists, winning him the Player of the Year award from Atalanta.

He has also scored three goals in seven games and was named to the official Team of the Tournament after helping Nigeria reach the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Lookman joins Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Sunday Oliseh, and Victor Osimhen as the eighth Nigerian football player to get a Ballon d'Or nomination.