The 2024 Ballon d’Or voting results have been disclosed by France Football, revealing how journalists from various countries voted.
- Rodri of Manchester City won the award, narrowly defeating Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.
- Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman finished in a commendable 14th place.
- The Ballon d’Or is determined by votes from 100 journalists representing leading FIFA federations, including Nigeria.
- Nigerian sports journalist Samm Audu represented the country in this year’s voting.
- Audu chose Ademola Lookman as his top pick, contrasting last year’s vote where Victor Osimhen received no favoritism from the Nigerian delegate.
- Ademola Lookman received points from 22 countries, with Nigeria leading with 15 points.
- Other countries that awarded Lookman points include Greece, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, UAE, Equatorial Guinea, Jordan, Portugal, South Africa, Ghana, Ireland, North Macedonia, Finland, Mali, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Trinidad and Tobago, Senegal, Ukraine, and Zambia.
- Nigerian journalist Samm Audu’s choice of Lookman as his top pick reflects the country’s confidence in its football talent.
- Despite not making the top 10, Lookman’s acknowledgment, especially from Nigeria, demonstrates the increasing recognition of Nigerian players globally.
- Countries That Voted for LookmanA total of 22 countries awarded points to Ademola Lookman, with Nigeria giving him the highest score:
1.Nigeria – 15 points
2.Greece – 12 points
3.Côte d’Ivoire – 7 points
4.Cameroon – 4 points
5.Gabon – 4 points
6.UAE – 4 points
7.Equatorial Guinea – 4 points
8.Jordan – 4 points
9.Portugal – 4 points
10.South Africa – 3 points
11.Ghana – 3 points
12.Ireland – 3 points
13.North Macedonia – 3 points
14.Finland – 2 points
15. Mali – 2 points
16. Morocco – 2 points
17. Burkina Faso- 1 point
18. Uganda- 1 point
19. Trinidad and Tobago – 1 point
20. Senegal- 1 point
21. Ukraine- 1 point
22. Zambia – 1 point
Samm Audu’s ballot for the Ballon d’Or featured Ademola Lookman in first place, followed by notable players like Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingha.
- The complete voting choices were:
1. Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta)
2. Vinicius Jr. (Brazil, Real Madrid)
3. Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
4. Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
5. Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)
6. Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
7. Nico Williams (Spain, Athletic Club)
8. Dani Olmo (Spain, Barcelona)
9. Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
10. Antonio Rüdiger (Germany, Real Madrid)
Lookman’s 14th-place finish was significant, especially with strong support from Nigeria.
Notably, Lookman did not receive a top vote from any other country, making Nigeria’s selection unique.This contrasts with last year when Victor Osimhen was placed fourth by the Nigerian voter, behind Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe.
