The Nigerian quartet of Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, Asisat Oshoala, and Paul Onuachu have been shortlisted in various categories of the FIFA Best Awards for 2024.
The list released on Friday by the World Football governing body shows that Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in the Italian Serie A, was nominated in the Best Attacker category.
He will battle it out with Vinicius Junior, Lamine Yamal, Bukayo Saka, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo among other high-profile players.
The Nigerian who had an argument impressive showing last season, leading Atalanta to the Europa League crown, has also started this season’s campaign in fine form. He helped the Super Eagles reach the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where they lost narrowly to hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
Lookman is also in pole position to be crowned the CAF Player of the Year for 2024 when the awards ceremony takes place next month.
Nigeria’s stand-in captain Troost-Ekong was named in the Best Defender category alongside Arsenal’s William Saliba, Manuel Akanji, Antonio Rüdiger, Dani Carvajal, and others.
Oshoala, who has won the CAF Women’s Player of the Year crown for a record number of times was listed in the newly-introduced Marta Award. The prize is for the best goal in women’s football. She got into contention for that category for her acrobatic goal (while in Barcelona Femeni) against Benfica in the Women’s Champions League in November 2024.
Her compatriot and Southampton forward Onuachu earned a place for the male version – the Puskas. His deft flick in Trabzonspor’s 2-1 win over Konyaspor on November 10, 2023, was enough to put him in contention for the best goal gong in men’s football.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi headlined the men’s best player nominees. The Inter Miami forward’s inclusion has sparked debates among football fans. The Argentine will vie for the prize alongside Ballon d’Or winner Rodri; Vinicius Junior; Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Toni Kroos, and Federico Valverde.
Fans and an expert panel are expected to vote for the 2024 FIFA Best Awards. Fans can vote on the FIFA website up until December 2024.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
