On Tuesday, April 14, Ademola Lookman, who plays for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Atletico Madrid in the Spanish LaLiga, proved once again why he is one of the most talented footballers in the world. The petit but effective attacking winger scored the all-important goal that sent almighty Barcelona crashing out of this year’s UEFA Champions League.
His goal didn’t only end the run of Barca but lifted Atletico Madrid into the semi-finals where they are to meet Arsenal who laboured to a 1-0 aggregate win over Sporting Lisbon in one of the other quarter-final matches on Wednesday. Most fans of Arsenal in Nigeria are already trembling because of Lookman. They know what he is capable of doing.
Without any fear of contradiction, I always say that Lookman is one of the best things that have happened to Nigerian football. To me, he is more than just a football player- he is an ambassador of Nigerian football whose exemplary behaviour is worthy of emulation by those youths who are easily frustrated and overwhelmed by setbacks they could have turned into success.
When he started his football career, Lookman encountered so many obstacles that could have ended his dreams. His struggles started in 2017 when he made the move from Charlton Athletic FC to Everton. Despite a promising start for the Toffees, he couldn’t find a regular shirt in the team. Therefore, he was loaned to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, where he made an immediate impact. However, Lookman was subjected to more loan deals that took him to Leicester City and Fulham. These loan spells came with so much frustration. Yes, frustration because when a player is constantly loaned out, it creates the feeling that he is not good enough. That was the psychological blow the young Lookman faced so early in his career.
However, there was a dramatic change when he eventually made a permanent move to Atalanta in Serie A in 2022, the same year he switched his international allegiance from England to Nigeria. His impact in Serie A for his new club was felt immediately. He scored on his debut against Sampdoria and enjoyed career-transforming performances in the 2022/2023 season. It was in the same season that he scored three consecutive braces, proving to the whole world his worth as an attacker.
Then what would be considered by many as the pinnacle of his career came on May 22, 2024 when he scored his first-ever hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, leading the Serie A side to their first-ever trophy in the history of the prestigious competition. Indeed, he completely reinvented himself in Italy, recording 43 goals and 23 assists in 105 appearances.
His outstanding performance earned him a Ballon d’Or nomination. In fact, Lookman was the only African player nominated for the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or, ultimately finishing 14th in the world – the third highest ranking ever for a Nigerian. To put the icing on the cake, he was crowned the King of African Football on December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco. He triumphed over home boy Achraf Hakimi, Simon Adingra, Ronwen Williams, and Serhou Guirassy to solidify his place among African football legends.
However, it is necessary to restate that winning the African Footballer of the Year came only after he took a bold decision that shocked many football fans. He chose Nigeria over England. Unlike other players of African descent who normally turn to their original countries only after they are rejected by their adopted nations, Lookman was a top prospect for the English senior national team. As a matter of fact, he had already helped the junior Three Lions to win the 2017 World Cup. However, Lookman, who was highly tipped to play for England at the senior level, left his comfort zone as he took a leap in the dark by returning home where football is managed haphazardly.
But it can be said that the real turning point in his career came when he happily accepted to play for Nigeria. Beginning from March 25, 2022, when he made his senior international debut for the Super Eagles, he has become a blessing to Nigeria and his clubs. Soon after he featured for Nigeria, he didn’t only win the highly-coveted Europa League trophy but was crowned the best player in Africa. His outstanding performance at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire where he propelled the Super Eagles to finish as runners-up, is still fresh in our memories. Apart from the key goals that he scored, Lookman was included in the Team of the Tournament. Interestingly, he also played a pivotal role in Super Eagles’ record extending third place finish at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
His career ascendency continued with a mouth-watering switch in early 2026 from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid, where the ever-demanding Diego Simeone is daily praising him for his courage and brilliance in one-on-one situations. Indeed, Lookman loves to use quick feet, feints, and body movement to beat defenders from a standing position. He also excels at carrying the ball into tight spaces and drawing multiple defenders to create room for teammates. These are rare attributes that both the Super Eagles and Atletico Madrid are relishing at the moment.
Lookman is enjoying his career now because he refused to be weighed down by the challenges that stood on his way. The Super Eagles’ “talisman” highlighted this in his speech during his coronation as the King of African Football. He said “Just over four years ago, I failed in front of the world. Fast forward four years, I’m the best player in Africa.
“Don’t let your failures weigh you down that they break your wings; turn your pain into your power and continue to fly.”
Indeed, the Atletico Madrid man is soaring high like a true eagle because he refused to submit to failure. Therefore, his story should serve as an inspiration to aspiring footballers currently faced with daunting challenges. To overcome setbacks, they must emulate Lookman’s uncommon ability to endure, persevere, reinvent, and, above all, stay focused.
More importantly, the “pocket dynamite” is a true professional who is not easily distracted by his fame. He’s humble, unassuming and is hardly seen on social media flaunting his wealth. Even when his Super Eagles teammates turn themselves into content creators, he is not interested. Even when provoked, he stays calm. I remember how he defeated a temperamental teammate who verbally assaulted him at the 2025 AFCON. He’s so calm and relaxed such that one is sometimes forced to think he is not even interested or aware of the fame and wealth bestowed on him by God.
In conclusion, Lookman is humility personified and he has shown clearly that setbacks are not insurmountable obstacles but stepping stones to resounding success. His numerous accomplishments have also underscored the saying that “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Those who are about giving up because of the tribulations of life should remember that after darkness comes light. This is the story of Lookman, the man who refused to give up.