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Ademola Lookman, recently named African Player of the Year, described the honor as “something incredible,” expressing his amazement at being recognized as the finest footballer on the continent.
The Nigerian international and Atalanta forward shared these sentiments on Monday while delivering his speech at a spectacular CAF-organized event in Marrakech, Morocco, where he was officially honored.
“This award today is a blessing to me, to my family, to my nation, and to be recognised as the best player in Africa is something incredible and I am extremely proud of,” Lookman said.
Recalling the difficult periods of his career four years ago, the 27-year-old advised young people to view failures as stepping stones rather than barriers, reminding them that their future is not bound by their past.
“Just over four years ago I failed in front of the world, fast forward to four years I am the best player in Africa,” Lookman recalled.
“I want to say to the young children and young people watching this ‘don’t let your failures weigh you down that they break your wings, turn your pain into your power and continue to fight and continue to fly’, God bless!”
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In a tightly contested race, Lookman emerged victorious, surpassing South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Cote d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy to secure the coveted title.
He was instrumental as Atalanta won its first-ever European trophy last season, with the Nigerian scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.
The former Everton player was also integral in the Super Eagles run to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year.
