Sport
Ademola Lookman Names Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey as His Closest Friends in the Super Eagles
Ademola Lookman, the talented winger for Atalanta and a standout player for the Nigerian national team, has shared the names of his closest friends within the Super Eagles squad.
In a remarkable year for the 27-year-old, Lookman was recently crowned the CAF Player of the Year for 2024, solidifying his reputation as one of Africa’s top football talents.
This recognition caps off a stellar period in his career, which saw him become a key figure for Nigeria on the international stage.
Though Lookman only began his journey with the Super Eagles in 2021 following FIFA’s approval of his international switch from England, he has quickly made his mark.
Lookman played an instrumental role in Nigeria’s impressive run during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held earlier this year.
His standout performances included scoring two crucial goals in the Round of 16 against Cameroon, helping Nigeria secure a decisive victory.
He followed that up with a match-winning goal against Angola in the quarter-finals, further cementing his status as one of the team’s go-to players in critical moments.
Despite falling short in the final, Lookman’s contributions were pivotal in propelling the team to such heights.
When asked about his close relationships within the Super Eagles, Lookman revealed that he shares a strong bond with a select group of players, referring to them as the “innit boys,” a nod to their shared British-Nigerian backgrounds.
He specifically mentioned Joe Aribo, a versatile midfielder currently playing for Southampton, and Calvin Bassey, a dynamic defender who made waves with his transfer to Fulham.
Both players, like Lookman, have roots in England but chose to represent Nigeria on the international stage, forging deep connections both on and off the pitch.
French football pundit Walid Acherchour has named Lamine Yamal as his pick to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, sparking reactions among football fans.
Acherchour’s choice came as a surprise to some fans, who expected him to support fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappé instead.
Speaking about his prediction, Acherchour expressed confidence in Yamal’s chances of winning the prestigious individual award.
“For me, Lamine Yamal, he is going to get it [2026 Ballon d’Or]. For me, there’s no doubt anymore,” Acherchour said, as quoted by Actu Foot. That start to the season shows that in fact, he was injured during the World Cup. He was the best player in La Liga, and he won the World Cup.
“Even if, for me, in fact, he doesn’t have the Ballon d’Or unanimously because his World Cup was average, even being average, he won it with Spain. He won La Liga with Barça.”
Former Manchester City player David Silva has shared his thoughts on the 2026 Ballon d’Or and revealed who he believes could win the prestigious award.
During a recent interview, the former midfielder was asked who he thinks will win the award, and he named Fabian Ruiz.
Silva’s choice sparked reactions from fans, especially as he did not mention Barcelona star Lamine Yamal as one of his picks.
“For me, teamwork is the most important thing, because without it you cannot win. If I had to give the Ballon d’Or to someone, it would be Fabian, because he has won the most titles in the last two years.
“He does not get enough recognition, I do not know why, because he is a wonderful player. I admire him a lot.”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future with the Portugal national team remains uncertain following his sudden departure from the squad ahead of the team’s Nations League match against Denmark.
The 41-year-old forward left the national team camp after he was left on the bench during Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway and was informed that he would not start against Denmark. Ronaldo later said he would explain his decision to leave the camp at a later time.
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has since said the door remains open for Ronaldo to return to the national team. Jesus said the decision ultimately rests with Ronaldo, while the Portuguese Football Federation has also described the situation as a misunderstanding.
Ronaldo remains Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, with 146 goals in 234 appearances, and his next decision could determine how his international career ends.
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