The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has revealed the nominees for the Men’s World Best Player 2024, featuring two forwards from the Super Eagles.
Victor Osimhen, who is on loan from Napoli, and Ademola Lookman of Atalanta have both secured spots on the 30-man shortlist.
Notably, no other African players were nominated, with prominent names such as Mohamed Salah from Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, and Brahim Díaz of Real Madrid missing out.
Past recipients of this esteemed award include legends like Marco Van Basten, Lothar Matthäus, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland.
Lookman has been recognized as Atalanta’s standout player since joining from RB Leipzig, having earned consecutive Player of the Season honors. He played a pivotal role in the 2024 Europa League final, where he scored a remarkable hat-trick, ending Bayer Leverkusen’s impressive 51-match unbeaten streak.
On the international front, both Osimhen and Lookman were instrumental in Nigeria’s journey to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, contributing a total of four goals and four assists.
Among the leading contenders for the Men’s World Best Player award are Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior, Manchester City’s Rodri and Erling Haaland, as well as Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo.
Additional nominees include Kylian Mbappé, 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.
The list is rounded out by Dani Carvajal, Fabian Ruiz, Cody Gakpo, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Lautaro Martínez, James Rodríguez, Akram Afif, and Alphonso Davies.
