The Nigeria international overcame competition from Achraf Hakimi, Ronwen Williams, Serhou Guirassy and Simon Adingra to be named Africa’s Best at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech.
Before that, he secured 14th place in the 2024 Men's Ballon d'Or rankings following an outstanding season with Atalanta, highlighted by his hat-trick in the Europa League final to defeat Bayer Leverkusen.
When asked about how transitioning from the English Premier League to the Bundesliga and now Serie A has shaped his career, Lookman told Flashscore: "I think the environment that the club (Atalanta) gave me has been very key to obviously my growth as a player.
"And also, just timing, you know, I've always believed in myself and to be able to achieve great things. But, yeah, the time has come and, you know, just blessed to be here."
After rising through the youth ranks at Waterloo, the forward signed his first professional contract with Charlton Athletic. In 2017, he moved to Everton on a four-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
However, he faced stiff competition for playing time at Goodison Park, which limited his opportunities. As a result, he joined Bundesliga side RB Leipzig following an initial loan move.
His journeyman career progressed when the German club loaned him to Fulham and Leicester City, where he tallied eight goals and eight assists across 42 appearances in the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Europa League.
The former England youth international eventually signed a four-year contract with Atalanta for a fee of approximately €15 million, becoming the third African in Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad at the time, alongside Jeremie Boga and Moustapha Cisse.
That move proved to be the turning point in his career, leading to a more prominent role in the Nigeria national team and eventually succeeding Victor Osimhen as Africa’s Best Footballer.
Lookman reflected on his time at Fulham, recalling his infamous Panenka penalty miss during a 1-0 Premier League defeat on November 7, 2020.
He shared how he turned that devastating moment into a source of strength and expressed hope that his award win would serve as inspiration for the next generation of footballers.
"Yes, they were not very happy with me, but, you know, they gave me a lot of love and support after especially the coach, Scott Parker," he continued.
"He helped me a lot to overcome that time but like I said on the stage it’s about turning your pain into power.
"I've managed to do that over the past couple of years and continue to do so. To the kids out there aspiring to improve and achieve in life: life may knock you down, and it may not deal you the best cards."
With his victory, Lookman becomes the sixth Nigerian to win this prestigious award, following in the footsteps of Rasheed Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba and Victor Osimhen.
After representing England at U19, U20, and U21 levels, including playing in their 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup victory, he switched allegiance to Nigeria. He made his Super Eagles debut on March 25, 2022, in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ghana.
Lookman played a key role in Nigeria’s runner-up finish at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire, scoring a brace against Cameroon in the Round of 16 and netting the winner in the quarter-final victory over Angola in Abidjan.
He is set to feature for Atalanta in their Coppa Italia clash against Cesena on Wednesday night at the Gewiss Stadium. Just four days later, they will host Empoli in a Serie A encounter.
Gasperini's side currently tops the Italian Serie A table with 37 points from 16 matches, holding a two-point lead over their closest challengers, Napoli.
