Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed that Ademola Lookman’s impressive form, which earned him a spot in the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominations, is largely due to the support of his teammates.
Also Read: Gusau Praises Lookman’s Achievement in Ballon d’Or Race
Lookman, who finished 14th in the prestigious award rankings, was the only African player to receive a nomination this year.
The 27-year-old winger played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s triumph in the UEFA Europa League, scoring a hat-trick in the 3-0 final victory against Bayer Leverkusen.
His outstanding performances have also made him a frontrunner for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
Gasperini emphasized that Lookman recognizes the importance of his teammates in his success.
He stated, “He (Lookman) already knows that he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t have De Roon, Ederson, Djimsiti, and that whole group behind him. It’s not guaranteed that he would have done the same thing had he been playing for a different team,”.
In a light-hearted exchange, Gasperini mentioned asking Lookman whether they would be wearing tuxedos for the awards ceremony. Lookman humorously replied that while he prefers not to wear a tuxedo, he would be willing to wear a bow tie.
