Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has expressed his support for Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or. Lookman, who is the only African player nominated for the award this year, has captured Gasperini’s admiration with his standout performances, particularly in the Europa League.
Lookman made headlines when he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final, etching his name in football history. His remarkable achievement helped propel Atalanta to European glory, and Gasperini believes this alone is worthy of Ballon d’Or recognition.
In an interview with Sky, Gasperini said, “My personal Ballon d’Or vote would go to Ademola Lookman. His magic skills helped us win the Europa League.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is set to be announced on October 28, with Lookman competing against some of the world’s top football talents for the coveted title.