Super Eagles stars William Troost-Ekong and Ademola Lookman have been recognized for their exceptional performances with nominations for the 2024 Best FIFA Men’s 11. The nominations affirm their status as two of Nigeria’s top football talents on the global stage.
Ademola Lookman, nominated in the attackers’ category, joins an elite list that includes global superstars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. Lookman’s selection follows a remarkable year both for Nigeria and his club, Atalanta. His dazzling displays at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s deep tournament run, and his standout performances in Serie A have elevated his profile. Lookman’s exploits also earned him a 14th-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings and positioned him as a frontrunner for the African Men’s Footballer of the Year award.
William Troost-Ekong, captain of the Super Eagles, earned a nomination in the defenders’ category, standing alongside Arsenal’s William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães among others. Troost-Ekong’s defensive mastery was on full display during AFCON, where he led Nigeria to their first final in a decade and claimed the tournament’s Best Player award. Though he narrowly missed the final shortlist for African Men’s Footballer of the Year, his FIFA Men’s 11 nomination underscores his consistency and leadership on the pitch.
The final FIFA Men’s 11 will be determined by fan votes, giving football enthusiasts worldwide the chance to select their favorites. Both Lookman and Troost-Ekong’s nominations reflect their impact in elevating Nigerian football on the international stage.
2024 Best FIFA Men’s Player Nominees
Several players competing with Lookman and Troost-Ekong for the honor include:
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami and Argentina)
- Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid and France)
- Rodri (Manchester City and Spain)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid and England)
- Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid and Brazil)
- Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid and Spain)
- Federico Valverde (Real Madrid and Uruguay)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
- Toni Kroos (Real Madrid and Germany, now retired)
- Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen and Germany)
Both Lookman and Troost-Ekong now look to rally fan support as they vie for a place in the prestigious FIFA Men’s 11.
