Without much surprise, the African Golden Ball was awarded to Nigerian Ademola Lookman on Monday evening during the grand ceremony organized at the Movenpick Palais des Congrès in Marrakech (Morocco). The Atalanta Bergamo striker, author of a hat-trick in the Europa League final last season, succeeds his compatriot Victor Osimhen.
With this coronation of Ademola Lookman, Nigeria has surpassed Ivory Coast in the number of African Ballon d’Ors, with now seven distinctions. A ranking still dominated by Cameroon (11). With only three trophies, Algeria ranks seventh. But for Nabil Djellit, the Fennecs are well ahead… thanks to Zinedine Zidane
“Algeria is obviously at the top of this ranking thanks to Zidane and Benzema”
“Algeria is obviously at the top of this ranking thanks to Zidane and Benzema. Both France Football Ballons d’Or which brings together the whole world. It’s the pure and simple truth…”wrote the journalist from the L’Equipe channel on
A message that inevitably sparked a lot of reactions.
“It’s such a ridiculous position given that neither of them has an airline nationality, was trained there or has ever played with an Algerian jersey. In short, neither of them has any sporting link with Algeria. It’s like saying that Italy has one more Ballon d’Or with Platini and Poland with Kopa… Ridiculous, demagogic and clientelist position », notably castigated an Internet user.
