The announcement of the 2024 FIFPro Men's World XI nominees has ignited a heated debate, with Nigerian star Ademola Lookman’s omission sparking outrage among football fans.

The list, which celebrates the best players in the world, included prominent names such as Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappe, but Lookman’s absence has left many questioning the fairness of the selection process.

The Nigerian forward enjoyed a stellar 2023/24 season, becoming a key figure for both club and country. Lookman played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s historic Europa League triumph, notably scoring a hat trick in the final, and guided Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

His contributions culminated in an impressive tally of 17 goals and 10 assists last season. This form carried into the current campaign, with the 27-year-old already registering nine goals and five assists in 15 appearances.

Despite these achievements, Lookman was excluded from the list of 26 FIFPro Men's World XI nominees, which included eight forwards: Haaland, Mbappe, Messi, Ronaldo, Vinicius Junior, Cole Palmer, Harry Kane, and Lamine Yamal.

Fans and analysts were quick to express their dissatisfaction, particularly since Lookman is also considered a frontrunner for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year.

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), fans voiced their displeasure. One user lamented, “FIFPRO did not nominate Ademola Lookman in world best eleven. AFCON finalist, Europa League winner, hat trick in Europa League final. Is it because he's African???”

Another fan criticized the inclusion of Messi and Ronaldo, stating, “Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have done nothing and do not deserve to be on this list ahead of players like Ademola Lookman.”

Lookman’s exclusion highlights a recurring issue in global football awards, where some feel that players from less globally spotlighted regions, like Africa, often go unrecognized despite extraordinary performances.

The 2024 FIFPro Men's World XI is expected to feature the final 11 players soon.

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