Ademola Lookman: Atalanta boss Gasperini backs Super Eagles star for Ballon d’Or

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has tipped Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman for this year's Ballon d'Or, Soccernet.ng reports.

Lookman is the only African to make the final 30-man nomination list for the prestigious award following his excellent year with Atalanta and Nigeria.

The 26-year-old attacker started the year with a string of brilliant performances to help the Super Eagles reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire.

His contribution then helped Atalanta finish in the Serie A top four and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Lookman closed the 2023/24 season with a historic performance in the final of the Europa League, netting a hat-trick in the 3-0 defeat of Bayer Leverkusen. It was Atalanta's first-ever European honour.

The former Everton lad is not resting on his oars one bit as he has started the 2024/25 campaign in stunning form.

Lookman has registered two goals and two assists in four Serie A games this term while he has also contributed two goals in two games in the Champions League.

For Nigeria, Lookman has two goals in three Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games and he had another lovely strike incorrectly ruled out for offside against Libya on Friday.

Despite his impressive feats, Lookman is not the favourite for the Ballon d'Or, an award expected to be dominated by Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr and Manchester City's Rodri.

Still, Atalanta boss Gasperini has vowed to vote for the Nigerian forward as he deserved the honour on the back of his exploits in the Europa League.

“My personal Ballon d’Or vote would go to Ademola Lookman,” Gasperini said, as per Tutto Atalanta. “His magic skills helped us to win the Europa League.”

Lookman is the leading contender for the Africa Footballer of the Year award.