2024 IFFHS World Best Player Award: Lookman, Osimhen only Africans in 30-man shortlist

By Tosin Omojola

Nigerian stars Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have been named among the 30 finalists for the 2024 International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) Men’s World Best Player award.

They are the only Africans to make the prestigious 2024 IFFHS World Best Player shortlist.

Lookman, who plays for Italian Serie A side Atalanta – where he was pivotal in helping the club win its first trophy since 1963, with a hat-trick in last year’s 3-0 Europa League final win over Bayer Leverkusen – is also the only African nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, further underscoring his outstanding performances over the past year.

Meanwhile, Osimhen, who was ranked 8th in the final Ballon d’Or voting last year, continues to build on his remarkable rise after leading Napoli to the Serie A title and moving on loan to Turkish giants Galatasaray this season.

This year’s IFFHS award features fierce competition, with reigning winner Erling Haaland, who claimed last year’s title following his prolific season with Manchester City, once again in the mix. Other notable names on the list include Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior.

Also nominated are Bayern Munich’s German sensation Jamal Musiala, Manchester City’s Rodri, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.

Real Madrid has the highest number of nominees – 7 – ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal with four, and Bayern Munich with three.

The IFFHS World Best Player award is one of the most recognized accolades in football, honoring the best-performing players from across the globe each year. The winner will be announced later this year, with many eyes on Haaland to see if he can defend his crown.

Candidates for the 2024 IFFHS World Best Player – Top 30