Nigerian international Ademola Lookman delivered an emotional speech on Monday night as he was crowned African Player of the Year at the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards held in Marrakech, Morocco.
In his acceptance speech, Lookman began by addressing Nigerians in Yoruba and reflected on his journey, saying: “Just over four years ago, I failed in front of the world. Fast forward four years, I’m the best player in Africa.”
The Atalanta forward dedicated the award to his teammates, family, and fans for their unwavering support throughout his career.
He also offered words of encouragement to young people, urging them to believe in themselves even in the face of challenges.
Lookman’s exceptional season played a pivotal role in both Atalanta’s Serie A campaign and Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. His decisive performances, including crucial goals in the UEFA Europa League and consistent brilliance in domestic competitions, cemented his status as one of Africa’s brightest talents.
Notably, Lookman ranked 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings, the only African player to make the list.
In May, he made history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League final, leading Atalanta to a stunning 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen and ending the Bundesliga champions’ remarkable 51-match unbeaten run.
He beat strong competition from stars like Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams to claim the prestigious title.
