Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman has been nominated for the prestigious Forward of the Year award at the 2024 Gran Galà del Calcio, futbalgalore reports.
The Atalanta attacker is up against top talents, including Inter Milan duo Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez, as well as AC Milan’s Portuguese sensation Rafael Leão.
Lookman, 27, is also a finalist for the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, highlighting his growing reputation as one of football’s most lethal forwards.
His multiple accolades come on the back of a stellar 2023-24 season, during which he scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists across all competitions.
Lookman was particularly dominant in the latter stages of the season, registering 14 goal contributions (eight goals and six assists) from April onward — the highest across Europe’s top five leagues during that period.
The highlight of his campaign came in the UEFA Europa League final, where he netted a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, cementing his place as a key figure for Atalanta.
Lookman’s fine form has continued into the current season, with eight goals and five assists in 14 appearances for the Bergamo-based club.
The Gran Galà del Calcio, organized by the Italian Players’ Association, recognizes the best talents in Italian football.
Winners are determined through votes by the association’s members, with the 2024 ceremony scheduled for December 2.
Atalanta’s success extends beyond Lookman’s individual brilliance. The club is in contention for the Serie A Club of the Year award, while manager Gian Piero Gasperini has been nominated for Coach of the Year.
Lookman’s journey from Charlton Athletic to Atalanta via stints at Everton, Fulham, Leicester City, and RB Leipzig has been remarkable. Since his 2022 move to Serie A, he has firmly established himself among the league’s elite forwards, earning global recognition for his achievements.
