The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner will be revealed in the not-so-distant future, with the illustrious magazine France Football set to host a glamourous gala at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on October 28th.
Currently, Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior is expected to claim the prize, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Vini’s teammate Jude Bellingham expected to be the Brazilian’s biggest rivals for the crown. However, one thing that has caught the attention of media outlets worldwide is the fact that only one African player has been nominated for the award.
It’s the first time in nine years that the continent has had only one representative nominated to win the biggest solo prize in football. Back then, it was Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure, who ultimately finished 12th, with Lionel Messi winning the top prize for the fifth time in his illustrious career.
But who is Africa’s sole representative this year? And who has flown the flag for the continent’s highest in recent years? Let’s find out.
Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman is the only African representative in 2024, and as a result, is by default the highest-finishing African in this year’s Ballon d’Or. The Nigerian sensation had a stellar 2023/24 campaign, culminating with his blistering hat trick in the Europa League final in Dublin. His three goals were enough to hand his Bergamo side their first-ever major trophy, ending Bayer Leverkusen’s quest for a perfect treble in the process.
After numerous failed stints in his country of birth, England, with the likes of Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City, Lookmanfinally found a home on the outskirts of Milan with Atalanta. Since moving there in 2022, he has managed to net 34 goals and a further 19 assists in 83 appearances. But it was last season when he finally came of age, bagging 17 goals in all competitions including that scintillating hat trick that took the giant Europa League trophy back to the Gewiss Stadium.
Back in 2023, Lookman’s international teammate Victor Osimhen made history for Nigeria by finishing eighth overall in the Ballon d’Or rankings, becoming the first Super Eagle to ever secure a spot in the top ten.
His explosive season with Napoli was marked by an impressive tally of 31 goals across all competitions, leading the Ciucciarelli to the Scudetto for just the third time in history and the first time in 30 years. His exploits in Serie A secured him the top goalscorer award in the league, but ultimately his relationship with the supporters who once loved him has soured in the 18 months since.
This summer, Osimhen moved on loan to Galatasaray after stating that he wanted to leave Napoli. After failed moves to both Chelsea and a whole host of Saudi Arabian teams, the 25-year-old opted for Istanbul in a move that left onlookers surprised. While many consider that the striker has made a step-down, Napoli is unfazed. They currently sit top of Serie A under Antonio Conte and the latest odds from online betting at Bovada make them a +400 contender for the title.
Sadio Mane’s 2022 campaign was nothing short of spectacular, finishing second in the Ballon d’Or rankings, the highest any African player has finished since George Weah claimed the coveted award back in 1995. The Senegalese star was a key figure for both his club and country. The electric forward helped Liverpool on their march towards an unprecedented quadruple that ultimately culminated with two domestic cups, second place in the Premier League, and a spot in the UEFA Champions League final.
Internationally however he enjoyed his crowning moment. Mane captained The Lions of Teranga to triumph at the 2021 Africa Cup Of Nations – delayed until 2022 due to global events – where he was named the player of the tournament. The former Southampton man netted three times throughout the tournament before steering his team to their first-ever title by defeating club teammate Mohamed Salah’s Egypt on penalties in the final.
2021 wasn’t the finest year for Liverpool, but Mohamed Salah’s exploits were still recognized as he finished seventh overall in the Ballon d’Or rankings. The Egyptian’s arrival to Liverpool in 2017 coincided with a dramatic upturn in the club’s fortunes. The former Roma man led the Reds to back-to-back UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, losing the first to Real Madrid before winning the second against Tottenham Hotspur.
In 2020, Liverpool won the Premier League for the first time in three decades, but their defense of the crown the following year wasn’t ideal. Despite that, Salah’s performance was still impressive. He amassed a mighty 31 goals in all competitions despite his side’s early exit from the UEFA Champions League and lowly fourth-place finish domestically.
