Super Eagles of Nigeria and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman has written his name in history after emerging as the 14th best Footballer on the planet at the annual Ballon D’or Gala in Paris, France.
Lookman, who was the only African on the list of thirty footballer chosen from across the world secured a prestigious 14th position which placed him ahead of sixteen other brilliant world-class footballers.
This achievement further placed him as a firm favourite to be announced as the next African Footballer Of the year at the next Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
Lookman is following in the footsteps of fellow Nigerian, Victor Osimhen who was ranked 8th on the previous edition of the Ballon D’or Awards and went ahead to be announced as the best footballer in the continent.
Meanwhile, Manchester City and Spain midfield dynamo, Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante popularly known as Rodri was announced as the winner of the Ballon D’or male category ahead of Real Madrid’s duo Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
Rodri, who attended the event on crutches received the award for his brilliance for both his club and current which landed him team and individual awards.
His success in the Premier League, UEFA Nations League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and the UEFA European Championship firmly positioned him as a firm favourite to be announced as the winner.
The award was presented to Rodri by the winner of the 1995 edition of the award and former president of Liberia, George Weah in the presence of football royalties who attended the event.
However, the event was marred by a bit of controversy as Spanish and European football powerhouse, Real Madrid and its contingent stayed away from the event because they had information that Rodri was going to win the award ahead of Vinicius Junior.
In a display of lack of sportsmanship, the club hierarchy stopped all its players and manager from attending the event to protest against Rodri winning the award ahead of Vinicius Junior.
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona Feminine’s Aitana Bonmati was announced as the woman footballer in the world ahead of her FC Barcelona teammates, Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Parallulelo who came second and third respectively.
Bonmati has now won the award twice in a row after also winning the 2023 edition.
FC Barcelona wonderkid, Lamine Yamal was the winner of the prestigious Kopa trophy ahead of the likes of Arda Guler, Kobbie Maino, Savinho and Pau Cubarsi.
The fast rising winger was also ranked 8th on the list of the best players in the world which underlines how rapid the teenager has come from an academy player to a global star in one year.
