The Traffic

"Victor Osimhen Tops List of 6 Highest-Ranked Nigerians in Ballon d’Or History, Ahead of Ademola Lookman"

By Achimi muktari 

In an exciting chapter for Nigerian football, six players have etched their names into Ballon d’Or history, with Victor Osimhen leading the pack as the highest-ranked Nigerian ever. The 2024 Ballon d’Or may have crowned Manchester City’s Rodri, but the spotlight also shone on Nigerian talents, especially Ademola Lookman, who made history as the only African nominee this year, finishing 14th overall.

Lookman Shines in 2024 Ballon d’Or, But Osimhen Still Dominates

Ademola Lookman, the Atalanta playmaker, had an incredible 2024, delivering clutch performances for both club and country. Lookman’s stellar year saw him lead Atalanta to their first-ever European title with a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, and his heroics helped Nigeria to a runner-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. His efforts earned him the 14th spot in the prestigious Ballon d’Or ranking, making him one of Nigeria’s finest in football history.

However, despite Lookman’s impressive rise, Victor Osimhen remains Nigeria’s