The Lete POTM of December "Está aquí": Charles de Ketelaere!
Crowned by the Nerazzurri fans on the official Atalanta App
December wraps up with another triumph for Charles de Ketelaere, who, after making his seasonal debut in November, has once again proven he’s the real deal, securing his back-to-back win in the pageant for the Lete Player of the Month award! A confirmation earned through hard work and consistency, with the Belgian dazzling fans by blending panache, determination, and leadership in equal measure. His breathtaking performances, game-changing goals, and sheer tenacity left an undeniable mark both on and off the pitch, earning him his place in the POTM Hall of Fame once again. But it wasn’t all about CDK: Marco Carnesecchi and Ademola Lookman gave it their all, battling to the last whistle, delivering standout performances and earning their well-deserved spots on the podium.
What better way to sum up De Ketelaere’s POTM-winning December as than with his celebration after scoring the decisive 3-2 goal in the Christmas match against Empoli? That "Eu estou aqui," a clear nod to a certain Portuguese number 7, became the perfect embodiment of how Charles truly “was here” to lead the team, perhaps more than usual!
Another standout feature of December for the Nerazzurri number 17 was his knack for braces: as if it almost seemed written in the stars that he would “score a double” both on and off the field, clinching a back-to-back POTM award, Charles spearheaded the black-and-blue assault with 6 goals in 7 games, and not just as a figure of speech, across all competitions... Following the "no-fly zone" at the Olimpico against Roma, Charles, seized the next available chance to divebomb into the POTM contention and spin the threads to retain his title: his ex's goal against Milan was, so to speak, not solely a spark but rather a whole mission statement for the month ahead. A powerful header, as he "spread his wings" and soared like a rocket to meet de Roon's corner-kick and score the opening goal. From that december 6 take-off, the black-and-blue 17 climbed up to greater and greater heights: called upon a few days later, he then converted the spot-kick equaliser on the brink of halftime at the Gewiss Stadium against Real Madrid, showing composure and steel nerves in a high-stakes moment.
Then came the game-changer that tipped the scales in the POTM voting (and beyond, considering his recent win as December’s Player of the Month by the AIC): those two consecutive braces, first in the Coppa Italia to make it 2-0 and then to complete the black-and-blue poker, and then, most notably, the one scored in our last home game of 2024. Whilst wrapping up this narrative, it would be remiss not to mention the goals that led to that "Eu Estou aqui" celebration so much raved over in the overture: from the header off Zappacosta's cross, thus poetically coming (almost) full circle on a piéce that opened up with a header, to that finishing blow to seal the black-and-blue under-the-christmas-tree comeback; a compendium of strenght (both physical and mental), will and fortitude, exactly what Charles embodied in December.
"Calma, calma, el POTM está aquí!" Relive CDK’s brace against Empoli with the highlights of the 2024 Christmas Match!
Empoli takes an early lead through Colombo, but before the end of the first half, De Ketelaere and Lookman turn the game around. In the second half, a penalty from Esposito levels the score, but De Ketelaere steps up again with a stunning solo effort to secure all three points for the Nerazzurri.
Second place goes to Marco Carnesecchi, who, flying in the face of what seemed like a done deal, gave his level best to plug the voting divide and, by shutting down the POTM options, have the last laugh going hand-in-glove with the award despite his teammate's blows - a feat he missed by a hair considering the narrow gap in the exit polls. Upon walking off the Olimpic stadium game against Roma undefeated to celebrate his 50th Atalanta appearance with a clean sheet, the Nerazzurri keeper gave tit for tat to CDK's monstre displays by becoming both an immovable force for his team and a bugbear of the opposing frontlines with his galore of crucial interventions: from "hockey saves" with his feet, acrobatic stretches in one-on-ones, to lightning-fast reflexes, there’s no card that the number 29 hasn’t played to deny opponents the joy of scoring, whether to keep the clean sheet intact or to stop potential counterattacks before setting off the Nerazzurri’s offensive play. And what better way to describe all this than with the 8 absolutely stunning saves he made in Cagliari? If anything, the term “miracles” might even be an understatement. MVP of the match and a well-deserved silver medal in the December POTM race!
By claiming their hard-fought win away at Cagliari, the Nerazzurri have racked up theri 10th consecutive Serie A triumph. Hogging the game's centrefold Nicolò Zaniolo, who scored the match-winner on 66 minutes, and Marco Carnesecchi, named Man of the Match after neutralising the hosts' barrage with his goalkeeping masterclass.
Bronze goes to a household Player of The Month name: Ademola Lookman! After finishing second last month, the African Ballon d'Or winner held his own against the other two finalists, counting on a staggering tally of 3 goals of absolute quality—securing MVP honors in the Milan match as he delivered the knockout to “exorcise the Devil” and in the Real Madrid clash. He also provided 1 assist to Brescianini, extending the team's unbeaten streak into 2025. Facing off against two “superhumans” in the race for the top spot, Mola made the most of his opportunities, securing a well-deserved third place as primus inter pares…
After De Ketelaere put the Nerazzurri ahead Morata temporarily leveled the score in Bergamo. Almost on the buzzer, Ademola Lookman gave wings to the Nerazzurri's offensive efforts and secured Atalanta's ninth consecutive victory.
Long live King Charles and congratulations on the back-to-back! As always, Nerazzurri fans, we’ll see you at the next round of POTM...