The much-anticipated list of 30 nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or has been revealed, and it has left football fans across the globe in shock. France Football’s prestigious award, to be handed out on October 28, features some unexpected exclusions—especially for African players.
In a year marked by significant changes, the list of nominees reflects a shifting landscape in global football, one that has turned away from some of its most celebrated African stars.
Despite impressive performances in recent seasons, the absence of high-profile names such as Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen has raised eyebrows.
Following their high-profile moves to Saudi Arabia last year, Sadio Mané and Riyad Mahrez, two icons of African football, were omitted from the 2023 list.
This year, the trend continues, with neither Salah nor Osimhen making the cut, signaling what appears to be a broader generational shift.
Often accused of favoring reputation over form, the Ballon d’Or selection panel seems to have opted for a more radical overhaul this year, with several established names sidelined in favor of emerging talent.
The absence of Mohamed Salah, who netted 25 goals for Liverpool last season, is particularly surprising
The Egyptian forward, who placed 11th in the Ballon d’Or rankings last year, has been left out despite his consistent goal-scoring prowess.
While he remains one of the Premier League’s most prolific attackers, Salah’s exclusion has been attributed to his recent injury struggles, particularly during Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.
Similarly, Victor Osimhen, who was the highest-ranked African player in 2023, does not feature on this year’s shortlist.
The Nigerian striker, who propelled his nation to the final of AFCON, had a somewhat quieter season with Napoli, registering 17 goals in all competitions.
Despite this dip in form, Osimhen remains a key figure in African football, but his loan move to Turkish club Galatasaray has not helped his standing in the eyes of the Ballon d’Or voters.
Africa’s representation at the 2024 Ballon d’Or will come from a surprising source—Ademola Lookman.
The Nigerian international winger, who plays for Italian side Atalanta, has been included in the 30-man shortlist after a stellar campaign.
Lookman impressed during Nigeria’s AFCON run and notably made headlines for his remarkable performance in the Europa League final, where he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen.
His inclusion is a breath of fresh air for African football, offering hope for the future amid a year of disappointments for the continent’s biggest stars.
Lookman’s presence on the shortlist is a bright spot in an otherwise difficult year for African football in terms of Ballon d’Or recognition.
Last year, three African players were named among the nominees. This year, however, the number has dwindled to just one, with even top performers such as Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy missing out despite a 28-goal haul in the Bundesliga.
While Africa continues to wait for a successor to George Weah, the only African to have won the Ballon d’Or in 1995, it seems unlikely that 2024 will provide that breakthrough.
Instead, the top contenders for this year’s prize are expected to be England’s Jude Bellingham, Spain’s Rodri, and Brazil’s Vinicius Jr., who have all delivered exceptional performances at both club and international levels.
As the world awaits the announcement of the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, Africa will be watching closely, with hopes that Lookman’s emergence signals the start of a new era for the continent’s footballing talent.
However, the shock omissions of Salah and Osimhen serve as a reminder of the challenges that African players still face in competing for recognition on the global stage.
They’re all here!
But… who should win it? #ballondor pic.twitter.com/SrkHBrJtuI
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 4, 2024
