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More accolades for Nigeria's Ademola Lookman after he was ranked ahead of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and a Real Madrid superstar in the top 100 footballers list.
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has emerged as a standout star in world football after being ranked 22nd in The Guardian's annual list of the top 100 footballers, surpassing global icons such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
This recognition comes shortly after Lookman was crowned the CAF Player of the Year, solidifying his status as one of the most talented players of his generation.
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Remarkable Ranking: Lookman’s Rise
In the prestigious ranking, Lookman outperformed notable players including Real Madrid's Rodrygo, who was placed 31st, and Messi, who came in at 27th, while Ronaldo was ranked 42nd.
The Guardian highlighted Lookman’s impressive performances throughout the year, particularly noting his contributions during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) knockout stages, where he netted three goals to help Nigeria reach the final.
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“The only African player nominated for the Ballon d’Or, Lookman finished 14th in the voting and celebrated by firing his club to the top of Serie A in December. Little wonder 141 of our 197 judges included him on their top 40 ballots,” Guardian stated.
Additionally, he played a crucial role in Atalanta’s successful and historic Europa League campaign, scoring a hattrick against Bayer Leverkusen for thir first-ever European title.
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Impressive Season:
Lookman's form has been exceptional this season; he has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in just 19 matches for Atalanta.
The Nigerian forward's recognition as one of the top players globally reflects his impressive for club and country
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Top Ranked Players
The top five players in The Guardian's ranking included Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, followed by Vinicius Jr., Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal, and Jude Bellingham.
Lookman's rise to prominence among such elite companies marks a significant achievement for both him and Nigerian football.
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His journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring footballers across Africa and beyond.
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