From laughing stock to African POTY: Every word Lookman said after being crowned best player in Africa

Monday night was the 2024 CAF Awards, where the best players on the African continent were celebrated.

Ademola Lookman beat Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton & Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund) and Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) to win the accolade.

The Nigeria international was thrilled to win the African Player of the Year award, approximately four years after becoming the subject of ridicule for missing a Panenka penalty in the final moments of Fulham's Premier League match against West Ham in November 2020.

Over the last one year, Lookman has consistently given his best on the field, netting incredible goals and steering Atalanta to victories over Napoli, AC Milan and Bayern Leverkusen that no one expected.

His three goals and one assist propelled Nigeria to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to host nation Ivory Coast in February.

The forward reflected on the effort and sacrifices that shaped him into the player he has become.

In his first words after winning the African Footballer of the Year, Lookman said: "Firstly I want to thank Almighty God for everything that he's been doing in my life and everything he has blessed me with.

"I want to thank the president, all my teammates, club and country. I want to thank them for their support and the love that they give me.

"This award today is a blessing to me, to my family, to my nation to be recognized as the best player in Africa is something incredible, and I'm extremely proud of.

"Just over four years ago, I fell in front of the world and fast forward four years I am the best player in Africa. 

"I want to say to all the young children and people watching this, don't let your failures weigh you down that they break your wings, but in fact turn your pain into your power and continue to fly."

Lookman is the sixth Nigerian player to win the African Footballer of the Year, following in the footsteps of Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, Viictor Ikpeba and Victor Osimhen.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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