Ademola Lookman’s stellar 2024 is in line for further potential recognition when the Charlton Athletic academy graduate follows up his recent position on the 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist with a nomination for Men’s African Footballer of the Year at the CAF Awards.
Lookman, who has also spent time at Everton, Fulham, Leicester and RB Leipzig, has reached his career peak so far since joining Italian overachievers Atalanta in 2022.
And in a memorable highlight of his playing time, Lookman ended the season-long domination of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen with a hat-trick in the Europa League final, serving the Bundesliga outfit their first defeat of the 2023-24 season and denying them an incredible treble.
Lookman’s 2024 has him regarded by many as the favourite to collect the CAF accolade, and ahead of the formal ceremony he was asked every football fan’s favourite question.
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When asked to pick a superior from all-time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Lookman’s preference was clear, and fast.
Messi or Ronaldo?
Lookman said in an interview with SportyTV: “Ronaldo, that’s my GOAT.”
MORE: Messi or Ronaldo: Who has been more valuable?
Both Ronaldo and Messi are still playing, albeit away from Europe’s top leagues these days.
Messi helped steer Inter Miami of the United States’ Major League Soccer to a Supporters Shield title this year, for the best league record of the season.
Unlike top European leagues, however, the most points does not earn you the most prestigious trophy.
In postseason knockout competition, Miami were eliminated early before LA Galaxy went on to win the MLS Cup — the American soccer equivalent of the Super Bowl or World Series.
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Ronaldo, meanwhile, plies his trade in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Nassr, while also launching a record-breaking YouTube channel that recently featured internet phenom MrBeast as a guest.
MORE: All the latest soccer action | Cristiano Ronaldo news
