AFCON 2025: Lookman makes surprise claim in battle with Real Madrid star for two top awards

Photo Credit: CAF X

Ademola Lookman has emerged as the brightest attacking force of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.

Yet, as Nigeria prepare for a heavyweight quarterfinal against Algeria, the Super Eagles forward insists personal glory is the last thing on his mind.

The Atalanta star arrives at the knockout stage as the tournament’s highest-rated player, having produced an astonishing seven goal contributions – three goals and four assists – in just three matches. No player at the competition in Morocco has been more decisive, and no player has shaped games more consistently.

Those numbers have placed Lookman firmly at the front of the race for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award. The former Fulham winger has already won two Man-of-the-Match awards against Tunisia and Mozambique. 

Lookman also sits just one goal behind current top scorer and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz, in a crowded contest for the Golden Boot. That race also includes Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah, ex-Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez, and Ayoub El Kaabi.

Yet despite dominating the data and the eye test, Lookman has delivered a message that runs against the usual narrative of individual accolades.

“No. Personally, I’m just thinking about the team winning,” Lookman said at the post-match press conference.

“Now we’re in the quarterfinals, and our next opponent will be another strong team. We scored four goals against Mozambique, and it was a big performance from the team, that’s what I care about.”

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Soccer Ademola Lookman at the AFCON

Lookman’s current form represents a continuation of a steady rise in his AFCON influence. At the 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast, he scored three goals and was named in the Team of the Tournament, finishing level with William Troost-Ekong, who ultimately won the MVP award.

This time, the gap is already clear. The Super Eagles star leads the tournament in assists, sits among the top scorers, and has been directly involved in more goals than any other player.

Beyond the immediate tournament, his goals have also carried him into Nigerian football history. With six AFCON goals, he is now joint third on Nigeria’s all-time scoring list at the competition, alongside Segun Odegbami and Julius Aghahowa, behind only Rashidi Yekini (13) and Jay-Jay Okocha (7).

That context makes his insistence on collective success even more striking.

Nigeria are chasing a fourth AFCON title, and the quarterfinal against Algeria represents the sternest test yet for the Super Eagles and Lookman.

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele

A lifelong fan of Arsenal and the Super Eagles, Imhonlamhen is a football writer and editor at Soccernet.ng, where his journey as a journalist began more than six years ago. Since then, he has helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and guided it toward some of its proudest milestones.

With a background in Engineering and further training in journalism and digital media, Imhons brings both precision and passion to his storytelling. His love for football runs deep, but he also follows boxing, chess, and athletics with equal curiosity.