Serie A star Ademola Lookman has declared 2024 as the pinnacle of his career following a remarkable season with Atalanta. The forward made headlines in May when he scored a historic hat-trick to lead Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League final.
In addition to his club success, Lookman also shone for Nigeria as the team's top goalscorer during the 2024 Nations Cup. His outstanding performances have earned him a nomination for the prestigious Ballon d'Or.
In an interview with France Football, Lookman expressed the profound joy of winning and the unique satisfaction of contributing to Atalanta's history. “The feeling of winning and having gold around your neck is an incomparable feeling. And writing history in a small city like Bergamo is something extraordinary,” he said. He noted that Atalanta’s head coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, remarked that Lookman had become part of football history, emphasizing the honor of his achievement and the hard work that led to it.
Reflecting on his decision to represent Nigeria, Lookman shared his journey of understanding his identity. “Even though I played for England in the youth teams, winning the U20 World Cup in 2017, I decided with my heart to play for the Super Eagles because I have a close and personal connection with this country,” he stated.
As for his Ballon d'Or nomination, Lookman described it as "crazy," especially being the only African on the shortlist. He added, “I’m proud of it. It’s an honour, knowing where I come from.”
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