Ademola Lookman: How Nigeria star became African player of the year

Now a guaranteed starter for both club and country, he played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the start of this year.

Lookman scored both goals in the last-16 victory over Cameroon and then the winner against Angola in the quarter-finals.

Nigeria finished as runners-up but the forward could console himself with a place in the team of the tournament.

Super Eagles team-mate Alex Iwobi says Lookman is a “great talent” – and one who deserves his African player of the year award.

“The rise that we’ve seen, we’re not surprised,” Iwobi told Newsday on the BBC World Service.

“He’s so effective. [To] see what he’s doing motivates everyone in the team.

“If my brother is working hard, we have to work as hard as him or even harder.”

Lookman was the only African on this year’s Ballon d’Or list, ultimately finishing 14th in the race to be named the world’s best player.

Ahead of the awards, BBC Sport Africa asked him to reflect on his progress over the past 12 months.

“It’s been defining in terms of steps taken, but this is just the start of hopefully something very special,” he replied.

With Atalanta leading Serie A and chasing their first top-flight title, Lookman’s powers continue to grow.

For Africa’s best player, the pain of his early days in the Premier League certainly appears to be long forgotten.

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