If he didn’t have” – Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini sheds light on the crucial traits that propelled Ademola Lookman toward Ballon d’Or recognition

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has expressed joy over Ademola Lookman’s 14th-place finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings, attributing this achievement in part to the support of Lookman’s teammates, Soccernet.ng reports.....Read Full Article>>

Lookman reached a career milestone on Monday, being ranked 14th in his first-ever Ballon d’Or nomination, finishing above stars like Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Declan Rice.

This recognition follows an impressive season with Atalanta, where Lookman scored 16 goals and provided ten assists in 45 appearances. He also played a crucial role in Nigeria’s successful run in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Gasperini celebrated Lookman’s accomplishment but emphasized that it was a team effort: “He (Lookman) already knows he wouldn’t be here without De Roon, Ederson, Djimsiti, and the whole team supporting him. It’s not certain he would have achieved the same success with another club,” Gasperini told *Football Italia*.

Lookman now sets his sights on the CAF Awards, where he is among the nominees and considered a strong contender to follow in Victor Osimhen’s footsteps.