Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman recently made the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or award, following his impressive season with Atalanta.
Lookman played a key role in helping Atalanta win the Europa League, scoring a hattrick to help the Italian team to their first continental trophy. The 26-year-old winger became the first ever player to bag three goals in a one-legged European final, as per Wikipedia.
This would make it back-to-back seasons where a Nigerian would make the list for best players in the world following Victor Osimhen’s eighth-place finish on the Ballon d’Or ranking last year—the highest finish by a Nigerian.
Nigerians who have made the Ballon d’Or shortlist
Sports Buddy takes a look at several other Nigerians that have made the shortlist for the prestigious award.
Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (1995)
Okocha, one of Nigeria’s all-time goal scorers, was nominated for a Ballon d’Or in 1995 while he was a member of the German Bundesliga team Eintracht Frankfurt.
He wowed audiences all around the world with his engaging performances and impressive skills.
Daniel Amokachi (1995)
Daniel Amokachi of Nigeria was one of three players from the country nominated for the coveted Ballon d’Or trophy in 1995.
His exceptional performance in Everton’s FA Cup victory served as the basis for his nomination. Amokachi scored two important goals in the semifinal match against Tottenham Hotspur, which was a major factor in the team’s victory.
His decision to enter the game as a substitute without the coach’s consent is one of the match’s most famous moments.
This cemented his place as a legend of the club, and he has been invited for a farewell match to mark the end of Gudison Park as the club’s home ground.
Sunday Oliseh (1998)
In 1998, Oliseh earned a nomination for the Ballon d’Or award for his exceptional performances with Ajax Amsterdam, which led to Eredivisie and KNVB Cup victories.
During the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, he also excelled for the Super Eagles, scoring one of the most famous goals in a 3-2 victory over Spain.
Victor Ikpeba (1997): finished 32nd
Famously dubbed the “Prince of Monaco,” Ikpeba lived up to the moniker as he was nominated for the coveted Ballon d’Or award in 1997. His outstanding efforts for AS Monaco were crucial in the team’s 1997 Ligue 1 and Trophée des Champions victories.
The forward finished as the second-highest goal scorer in the 1996–97 UEFA Cup and scored 13 goals in the league en route to winning the championship.
Finidi George (1995): finished 21st
Modern Nigerian fans might remember Finidi George as the ex-Super Eagles head coach, who recently resigned after failing to make an impact with the Nigerian national team.
However, Finidi’s credentials as a player are more impressive. The former attacker is the first Nigerian to reach the top 30 on the Ballon d’Or list.
His outstanding play throughout that season cemented his standing as one of the best wingers in the world.
Ajax Amsterdam won the Eredivisie, Johan Cruijff Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, and four UEFA Champions League titles. Finidi was a key player in the team’s historic achievement. He started every game.
Asisat Osholala (2022, 2023): Finished 16th and 20th, respectively
Oshoala became the first Nigerian woman to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or in two consecutive years.
Her first nomination came in 2022, following a remarkable season with Barcelona before going on to make the list in 2023.
With Barcelona, she won the Primera División, Copa de la Reina, and Supercopa de España Femenina, making history.
On the international front, Oshoala scored a vital goal in Nigeria’s 3-2 victory over Australia to lead them to the round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Kanu Nwankwo (1996, 1999): Finished 11th and 23rd, respectively
Kanu created history by being the first person from Nigeria to receive two Ballon d’Or nominations. His remarkable accomplishment in leading Nigeria to Olympic gold at the Atlanta 1996 Games earned him his first nomination in 1996.
Following his successful transfer to Arsenal in 1999, Kanu received his second historic nomination for the Ballon d’Or. His outstanding play in that year won him the coveted BBC African Footballer of the Year and CAF African Footballer of the Year honors in addition to a nomination for the Ballon d’Or.
Victor Osimhen (2023): Finished 8th
Osimhen is the highest ranked player in Ballon d’Or history following his impressive 2022-2023 campaign which saw him bag 31 goals in 39 appearances.
The striker finished eight on the 2023 Ballon d’Or list, becoming the first Nigerian to finish that high.
The current African Player of the Year recently sealed a loan move to Galatasaray, and was unveiled in grand style by the club, who were exited to have a player of such status.
Ademola Lookman (2024)
The only African on the newly released 30-man list, Lookman is the latest Nigerian to make it to the list again.
While the Super Eagles winger is yet find out his position on the list, Nigerians would be hoping he bags a good position, and perhaps, surpass Osimhen’s eight-place finish.
