Cannavaro says Lookman had a good season in 2024 but he can’t play for Real Madrid or Man City

Udinese coach and Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro have said Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman's nomination for the 2024 Ballon d’Or is fitting after scoring a hattrick in the final of the 2024 Europa League, he also said Lookman and most Serie A forwards are not good enough to play for Real Madrid and Man City.
Cannavaro feels that Lautaro Martinez is the only Serie A star who may play for Manchester City or Real Madrid and warns Dani Carvajal that a defender must do ‘extraordinary things’ to win the Ballon d’Or.
Cannavaro, Italy’s latest Ballon d’Or winner in 2006, praised Inter star Martinez during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
El Toro is among the five Serie A players included in the top 30 Ballon d’Or list.
“You can’t question Lautaro. He won the title and Copa America, and he always makes a difference,” said the ex-defender.
“I hope Serie A and Inter will never lose him. When I think about Serie A footballers who could play for Man City or Real Madrid, I think of Lautaro and perhaps nobody else.”
Atalanta‘s Europa League hero Lookman is also among the candidates for the Ballon d’Or, and Cannavaro was not surprised to see his name among the best players of last season.
“Not after those three goals in the Final. His season was incredible,” he said.
However, neither Lautaro nor Lookman are among the favourites to lift the most important individual award in football. So, who should win it in October?
“Vinicius or Bellingham, who, however, in the second part of the season, was not on the same level as the first,” argued Cannavaro.
How about Kylian Mbappé?
“He didn’t have a great season, but he’s a champion. He’s an obvious candidate.
''Then there are Rodri and Carvajal. He [Carvajal] won everything. But a defender must do extraordinary things to win the Ballon d’Or.”
Cannavaro did so in 2006 when he led Italy to victory in the World Cup, months before lifting the Golden Ball.