Ademola Lookman is considered the favorite to win the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year award, thanks to his standout performances during the 2023/24 season. However, the Nigerian striker recently missed out on being named Africa’s top player in a ranking released by Spanish outlet Marca, which has sparked some debate.
The Marca Top 100, a list that ranks the best footballers of the season, is compiled by a panel of over 100 former players, journalists, and analysts from around the world. Despite Lookman’s impressive season, he was ranked fourth among African players for the 2023/24 campaign, behind Mohamed Salah, Victor Boniface, and Serhou Guirassy. This ranking raised some eyebrows, as many expected Lookman to be higher on the list given his stellar performances.
While it’s no surprise that Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham topped the global rankings, Lookman’s position on the African players’ list has caused controversy. With some skepticism surrounding Marca’s choices, we take a closer look at the outlet’s ranking of the top African players from the past season.
