Grapevine

Lookman relishes Ballon d’Or nomination

Lookman, who previously plied his trade in England, found his feet after joining Atalanta in 2022, as the former Everton man finished his first season with the Serie A side with 15 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances. He surpassed that in his second year, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists in 45 appearances.

His form also extended to the international stage, where he played a starring role for Nigeria at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 26-year-old revealed on the Counter Attack Podcast how he learnt of his Ballon d’Or nomination while on international duty with the Super Eagles, saying, “It’s a special, special feeling, man.

“I was on a bus on the way back from training and I saw a handle post that I’d been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, and I was a bit surprised. I kept scrolling, and then I saw loads and loads of notifications, so I knew it was real.”