In the words of Dale Carnegie, “Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.” The story of Ademola Lookman’s emergence as the 2024 African Footballer of the Year is one of courage, determination, and sacrifice.
Lookman himself said, “This award is a blessing to me, my family, my nation, and to be recognised as the best player in Africa. It is something incredible, and I am extremely proud. Just over four years ago, I failed in front of the world, and fast forward four years, I am the best player in Africa.”
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Born on 20 October 1997 in Wandsworth, Greater London, to Nigerian parents, Ademola Lookman was raised in the heart of South London. He studied at St Thomas the Apostle College in Nunhead, achieving distinctions in his General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Shortly after, he joined Charlton Athletic’s academy in 2014, a youth football club based in the London Borough of Lambeth.
His early days at Charlton highlighted his potential as he scored his first professional goal in a 3–2 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion on 5 December 2015. Just ten days later, Lookman made an even greater impact, netting both goals in a 2–2 draw with Bolton Wanderers, quickly establishing himself as one of the club’s brightest young talents.
Lookman’s performances at Charlton did not go unnoticed by other clubs, and on 5 January 2017, he signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Everton for a fee initially reported at £7.5 million, potentially rising to £11 million with add-ons. However, despite his promise, he struggled to secure regular first-team opportunities at Everton. In January 2018, he was loaned out to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, where he made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Despite some challenges, his time in Germany provided valuable experience. He later had loan spells at Leicester City and Fulham, where he demonstrated resilience, even though his performances were occasionally inconsistent.
Determined to take his career to the next level, Lookman joined Serie A club Atalanta on 4 August 2022 for a reported fee of €15 million. His impact was swift: he scored on his debut against Sampdoria and enjoyed a prolific period during the 2022-23 season, with his remarkable form peaking with three consecutive matches featuring braces, showcasing his consistent ability to score goals.
The pinnacle of his club career came on 22 May 2024, when Lookman scored his first-ever hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, leading Atalanta to their first-ever trophy in the competition’s history. His outstanding performance in the tournament earned him a Ballon d’Or nomination, making him the first Atalanta player to receive such an honour.
L’Équipe awarded Lookman a perfect score of 10/10 for his performance in the Europa League final, and he was named ‘Man of the Match’ on multiple occasions for his performances with Atalanta.
Lookman’s international journey has been equally complex. Initially, he represented England at various youth levels, playing a crucial role in their 2017 U20 World Cup victory. However, after several discussions with the Nigeria Football Federation, he ultimately chose to switch his allegiance to Nigeria, making his senior debut on 25 March 2022. His contributions to the Nigerian national team have been significant, including key goals during the Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria reached the final but were narrowly defeated 2–1 by Côte d’Ivoire.
These accolades demonstrate his extraordinary skill and influence on the game, placing him alongside footballing greats such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Erling Haaland.
On 16 December 2024, Ademola Lookman was crowned the ‘King of African Football’ in Marrakech, Morocco. He triumphed over Achraf Hakimi, Simon Adingra, Ronwen Williams, and Serhou Guirassy to claim the prestigious award, solidifying his place among the legends of African football and celebrating the excellence of Black talent.
Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Lookman said, “I want to say to all the young children and people: don’t let your failures weigh you down. They may break your wings, but instead, turn your pain into your power and continue to fly.”
The 2024 African Footballer of the Year award is a well-deserved recognition of Lookman’s exceptional talent and unwavering dedication. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring footballers and a reminder that setbacks are not insurmountable obstacles but stepping stones to success.
