Happy birthday to the best African player of 2024 | OneFootball

Happy birthday to the best African player of 2024

On October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, England, a certain Ademola Lookman was born. Twenty-eight years later, the talented Nigerian winger celebrates his birthday looking back on a truly exceptional year.

Crowned African Player of the Year 2024, Lookman has won the hearts of the continent with his skill, efficiency, and determination. The Nigerian international was one of the key figures behind the Super Eagles’ run to the 2023 AFCON final, where Nigeria finished as runners-up of Africa.

But it was on the European stage where the Atalanta Bergamo forward truly made history. In the 2024 Europa League final, Ademola Lookman delivered a sensational hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, gifting his Italian club a remarkable first continental title. This historic performance made him the first player ever to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final.

Now recognized as one of the most explosive players in Serie A, Lookman embodies this new generation of ambitious, talented African footballers determined to shine at the highest level. At 28, the best may still be yet to come. Happy birthday, Ademola Lookman!