Ademola Lookman and Williams Troost-Ekong, two Nigerians who have joined made 2024 FIFA best Players award nominations.
While Atalanta Lookman is nominated for the FIFA World XI in the attacking category, Troost-Ekong is in the defenders’ selection.
Both join an elite list of nominees which include Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior.
Read also: Morocco 2025: Ekong, Osimhen, Awoniyi Return to Super Eagles
Others nominated for the prestigious award include Akram Afif, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, German Cano, Artem Dovbyk, Viktor Gyokeres, Lautaro Martinez, Jamal Musiala, Soufiane Rahimi, Goes Rodrygo, Salomon Rondon, Bukayo Saka, Luis Suarez, Ollie Watkins, Nico Williams, and Lamine Yamal.
Ademola Lookman has had an amazing 2024. From ranking 14th in the Ballon D’or to being nominated for the CAF African best player award and also the Globe Soccer Awards for the best men’s player of the year, his recognition in continental and global awards has been outstanding.
Super Eagles fall in rank
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have suffered a massive drop from 36th in the world to 44th in the latest FIFA rankings.
Nigeria’s eight-place drop in the latest rankings released on the football governing body website on Thursday, November 28, has seen the three-time African champions make their biggest decline in recent years.
The Eagles’ drop was due to their poor outing in the last international outing, where they suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat at home to Rwanda in the last phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Before the defeat to the East Africans, the Eagles had recorded a 1-1 draw with the Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The point already earned them a place at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
On the information provided on the FIFA website, Argentina remained the top-ranked team while Niger are the biggest climber, moving up from 131st position to 122nd, while also scoring the most points (31.23) in the latest rankings.
Meanwhile, Comoros are the newest highest-ranked team climbing to 103rd while DR Congo lost the most points (35.53).
The defeat ended their unbeaten run during the qualifying series at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Nigeria’s eight-place drop in the world has seen them ranked fifth in Africa, moving one place down from their previous fourth position.
This is the Eagles’ biggest drop since February 2024 when they moved from 42nd in the world to 28th and third on the continent to record their best leap since 2013.
Morocco retained their number one spot on the continent despite dropping one place to 14th in the world. They are followed by second-place Senegal, who moved up three places to rank 17th in the world.
Egypt maintained their third spot on the continent but dropped three places in the world with the Pharaohs now placed 33rd globally.
Algeria leapfrogged Nigeria to occupy the fourth position and retained their 37th position in the world.
World Cup winner, Argentina, remains the number one ranked side despite losing a game to Paraguay in the qualifiers.
France are second, with Spain, England and Brazil completing the Top 5.
