Nigeria has a strong representation in the 2024 FIFA Best Awards as four of its top football stars have been nominated for prestigious categories, including the coveted FIFA The Best Men’s 11, Puskás, and Marta Awards.
Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong Headline FIFA The Best Nominees
Ademola Lookman, who made waves with his impressive performances in club football, has earned a nomination in the Best Attacker category. The 26-year-old, who finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or voting, is among the elite names vying for the honor. Lookman’s incredible form for Atalanta in Serie A has seen him placed alongside footballing heavyweights such as Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In the Best Defender category, William Troost-Ekong, captain of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, has earned a place on the shortlist — a significant milestone in his career. Troost-Ekong’s commanding performances at the heart of defense for both club and country saw him become the first Nigerian player to be nominated in this category. His inclusion is particularly noteworthy after a year of uncertainty in 2023, when he considered stepping back from international football after being sidelined by Super Eagles head coach José Peseiro.
Troost-Ekong will face tough competition from top-tier defenders such as Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and Achraf Hakimi, as well as rising stars like William Saliba and Jonathan Tah.
Paul Onuachu and Asisat Oshoala Compete for Individual Honors
Two more Nigerian footballers, Paul Onuachu and Asisat Oshoala, have been nominated for the FIFA Puskás and Marta Awards, respectively, which celebrate the best goals in football for both men’s and women’s football.
Onuachu, currently playing for Trabzonspor in Turkey, earned his place among the Puskás Award nominees for his stunning bicycle-kick goal against Konyaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig on November 10, 2023. The goal was widely praised for its technical difficulty and beauty, marking a high point in Onuachu’s career. He will compete for the prestigious honor against other iconic goals scored across the globe.
Watch His Goal Below;
Asisat Oshoala, one of the brightest stars in women’s football, has been nominated for the inaugural FIFA Marta Award, named in honor of the Brazilian legend. Oshoala’s acrobatic finish for Barcelona Femeni against Benfica in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in November 2023 earned her the nod. Her nomination is a testament to her incredible consistency and excellence at the highest level of women’s football.
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New Voting Process for Puskás and Marta Awards
In a shift from previous years, the winners of the FIFA Puskás Award (for men’s football) and the FIFA Marta Award (for women’s football) will be determined by a combination of fan voting and a panel of FIFA Legends. Fans will have the opportunity to cast their votes, while a panel of experts will help to select the final winners. The FIFA Fan Award, which recognizes moments of passion and engagement in football, will also be entirely fan-driven.
To Vote, Visit https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/2024
Historic Recognition for Nigeria
This year’s FIFA Best Awards have proven to be a landmark occasion for Nigerian football, with multiple players from the country earning nominations across a range of categories. For Troost-Ekong, in particular, his nomination as one of the world’s best defenders is a historic achievement for both him personally and for Nigerian football on the global stage.
With fans eagerly awaiting the final voting and results, Nigeria’s football community has much to celebrate, as Lookman, Troost-Ekong, Onuachu, and Oshoala prepare to make their mark at the 2024 FIFA Best Awards.
Voting for the awards is now open to the public, with the winners set to be revealed in early 2025.
Additional Information:
The FIFA Best Awards celebrate the achievements of the top footballers and teams worldwide, recognizing excellence in both men’s and women’s football at both the club and international levels. The 2024 ceremony promises to honor the sport’s brightest stars across various categories, with Nigeria’s presence adding to the global excitement.
