By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen are in the running for the 2024 International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) Men’s World Best Player award.
Prompt News reports that 30 players made the shortlist for the prestigious award this year.
Lookman was nominated on the back of his impressive displays for Nigeria and Atalanta in the year.
The tricky winger was one of the standout performers for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
The 27-year-old scored three goals in seven outings as the Super Eagles reached the final where they lost 2-1 to hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
He also scored all three goals in Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League final victory against Bayer Leverkusen.
Lookman is also among the nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’or.
Osimhen also contributed immensely to Nigeria’s near successful AFCON 2023 campaign.
The 25-year-old scored 15 goals in 25 league appearances for Napoli last season.
Real Madrid duo Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior, Manchester City’s Rodri and Erling Haaland, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo are believed to be among the frontrunners for the Men’s World Best Player.
Other nominees include: Kylian Mbappe, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, William Saliba, Ruben Dias, Nico Williams and Toni Kroos.
Dani Carvajal, Fabian Ruiz, Cody Gakpo, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Lautaro Martínez, James Rodríguez, Akram Afif and Alphonso Davies complete the list of players nominated.
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