The Nigerian quartet of Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, Asisat Oshoala, and Paul Onuachu have been shortlisted in various categories for the 2024 FIFA Best Awards.
A list released on Friday by the global football governing body reveals that Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in Italy’s Serie A, has been nominated for the Best Attacker award.
He will compete against stars such as Vinicius Junior, Lamine Yamal, Bukayo Saka, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Lookman had a stellar season, helping Atalanta secure the Europa League title, and has continued his strong form this year.
He also played a key role in leading Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the Super Eagles narrowly lost to hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
Lookman is also a frontrunner for the CAF Player of the Year award, set to be announced next month.
Nigeria’s stand-in captain, Troost-Ekong, is nominated in the Best Defender category, where he will compete with the likes of Arsenal’s William Saliba, Manuel Akanji, Antonio Rüdiger, and Dani Carvajal.
Oshoala, a record multiple winner of the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, has been shortlisted for the newly introduced Marta Award, which honors the best goal in women’s football.
She earned her place for her stunning acrobatic goal for Barcelona Femeni against Benfica in the Women’s Champions League in November 2024.
In the men’s category, Onuachu, the Southampton forward, is in the running for the Puskás Award for the best goal, thanks to his skillful flick for Trabzonspor in their 2-1 victory over Konyaspor on November 10, 2023.
Among the men’s Best Player nominees, Lionel Messi leads the pack. The Inter Miami forward’s inclusion has sparked debates, as he will compete for the title alongside Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Toni Kroos, and Federico Valverde.
The 2024 FIFA Best Awards will be determined by votes from both fans and an expert panel. Voting is open on the FIFA website until December 2024.FIFA Best Awards Nominees
The Best FIFA Men’s Player nominees
Dani Carvajal (Spain), Real Madrid
Erling Haaland (Norway), Manchester City
Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Real Madrid
Florian Wirtz (Germany), Bayer Leverkusen
Jude Bellingham (England), Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid
Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona
Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami
Rodri (Spain), Manchester City
Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (now retired)
Vinicius Jr (Brazil), Real Madrid
The Best FIFA Women’s Player nominees
Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Barcelona
Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride
Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona
Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona
Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City
Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City
Lindsey Horan (USA), Olympique Lyonnais
Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea
Mallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red Stars
Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal
Naomi Girma (USA), San Diego Wave
Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona
Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona
Sophia Smith (USA), Portland Thorns
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais
Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach nominees
Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil
Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic
Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USA
Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan
Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City
Jonatan Giraldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit
Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC
Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyonnais/Chelsea
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach nominees
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real Madrid
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Argentina
Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Spain
Pep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester City
Xabi Alonso (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen
The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper nominees
Alyssa Naeher (USA), Chicago Red Stars
Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham
Ayaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City
Cata Coll (Spain), Barcelona
Mary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain
The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper nominees
Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid
David Raya (Spain), Arsenal
Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Aston Villa
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain
Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan
Unai Simon (Spain), Athletic Club
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