Two African stars to battle Messi, CR7 & co. for individual honours

Two African stars have been nominated alongside Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and other renowned players for a major individual award.

Nigeria's Ademola Lookman and Egyptian star Mohamed Salah are in contention for Globe Soccer's Best Men's Player 2024.

Read: Wydad blast Moroccan referees, 'demand immediate action' 

The Atalanta forward recently finished 14th in the race for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, which was ultimately won by Manchester City star Rodri.

Among his standout performances, the Super Eagles star notably scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League final, helping his side secure their first-ever continental trophy.

He also played a crucial role in his national team's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which saw them reach the final, where they narrowly lost to hosts and eventual champions Ivory Coast.

Salah, meanwhile, has been instrumental for Liverpool this season, racking up 10 goals and 10 assists in 17 matches across all competitions.

His eight league goals have helped the Reds enter the November international break as league leaders, five points ahead of Manchester City in second place.

The Egyptian was, perhaps controversially, omitted from the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, but he and Lookman will now have the opportunity to win a different individual award.

The nominations for Best Men's Player 2024 include the African duo, Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, Real Madrid stars Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, and Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland among other stars.

Read: Tau an outlier as Al Ahly 'make' big transfer decision  

The award ceremony will take place on 27 December in Dubai, with fans able to cast their votes on the Globe Soccer Awards' official website. 

By Junaid Benjamin 

Follow him here on X  

Related tags