By Abdulqadir M. Habeeb
Ademola Olajade Alade Lookman is a Nigerian kid born on 20 October 1997 in Wandsworth, Greater London, to Nigerian parents. He attended St Thomas the Apostle College in Peckham where he achieved three A*s and five As at GCSE.
Lookman began his journey at Charlton Athletic’s academy in 2014, joining from Waterloo, a youth club located in the London Borough of Lambeth. His impressive goal-scoring performance for Charlton’s U18 and U21 teams fast-tracked his rise through the academy, leading to his first-team debut for Charlton on 3 November 2015. He netted his first goal for the senior squad in a 3–2 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on 5 December 2015, and later scored both of Charlton’s goals in a 2–2 draw with Bolton Wanderers just ten days after.Lookman eventually moved to Everton, where he marked his debut with a goal in a 4-0 victory over Manchester City. He was later loaned to RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga, where he also found the back of the net on his debut after coming on as a substitute. Lookman later secured a permanent transfer to Leipzig, before going on loan to Leicester City.
Atalanta, Gasperini and a match made in heaven
In a testament to his resilience, Lookman joined Serie A side Atalanta in 2022, determined to make his mark in elite football. Under the guidance of the experienced white haired sage, Mr Gasperini, the move became the turning point he had been seeking. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in a 2-0 victory over Sampdoria on 13 August. By January 2023, Lookman hit a remarkable stride, netting braces in three consecutive matches: an 8-2 win against Salernitana, a 5-2 Coppa Italia triumph over Spezia, and a thrilling 3-3 draw with Juventus.Lookman closed the season with an impressive tally of 17 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. His versatility and attacking prowess have been key to Atalanta’s success in both Serie A and the Europa League.
A Hatrick hero
On 22 May 2024, he scored his first career hat-trick, in the Europa League final at the Dublin Arena, as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3–0 to win the trophy for the first time in the club’s history; in addition, he became the first player to score a hat-trick in a one-legged European final since Pierino Prati in 1969.
It was a 5-star performance for the star, who went on to set four new records for himself. Following the hat-trick, he becomes:
The First player to score a hat-trick in Europa League final.
The First to score a hat-trick for Atalanta in a European final.
The First Nigerian to score a hat-trick in Europa League final
4. The First African to score a hat-trick in the Europa League final.
By the end of the season, Lookman had established himself as an undisputable talisman and creative anchor for the team.
Lookman has picked up this season where he left off that last.
The CAF’s African Footballer of the Year quest
Come December, when the Africa Footballer of the Year would be announced, one name that will surely be in the forefront of CAF choice is Super Eagles and Atalanta winger, Ademola Lookman. After a scintillating season with his Serie A side where his hat-trick won the Europa Cup for the La Dea. It therefore came as no surprise when he was named Atalanta’s Best Player of the Season after his 27-goal contributions accross all competitions
After an impressive performance at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, Ademola Lookman emerged as the hero for Atalanta in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen where his hat-trick won the trophy for the La Dea.
The 27-year-old winger has been a revelation for Atalanta. While he consistently delivered impressive performances in Serie A, it was his dominant display on the biggest stage that truly announced him to the world.
In the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, Lookman stole the show, bagging a sensational hat-trick to secure Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy.
This feat etched Lookman’s name in history, becoming the first African player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final, and only the sixth player ever to achieve such a feat in
Lookman’s impressive form extends to international duty. He was a key player for the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), earning a place in the Team of the Tournament after scoring three goals, assisting two and helping Nigeria reach the final.
Though the Africa Footballer of the Year award is still a few months away, Lookman is almost the sure bet to cart home the award. Ahead of the award however, compatriot, Wilfred Ndidi, is backing the Atalanta man to cart away the prize ahead of holder, Victor Osimhen.
“In all honesty, I think Ademola (Lookman) stands a better chance of winning it. Though both he and Osimhen have done well for their clubs, but Ademola stands a better chance,” Ndidi said.
Lookman was recently named the Best African International Footballer at the Ghana Football Awards in Accra.
In a video message, he expressed his gratitude: “Thank you for the consideration, the recognition, and the votes. This means a lot to me and my family. I wish I was in Ghana, but my heart is with you all. Thank you and God bless.”
The Atalanta star received the award after a remarkable season with Nigeria’s Super Eagles and his Italian club.
He outperformed Victor Boniface and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmund Tapsoba to clinch the title. Lookman succeeds Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, who won last year after leading his team to the Serie A title and later secured the CAF Africa’s Best Player award.
In the recently concluded September international window, he scored 2 goals to set Nigeria in a good stead towards the qualifications for the upcoming african cup of nations holding in Morroco next year.
Attitude and leadership traits
Lookmans professional and leadership traits shines through for both club and country. He comes across as a level headed player who doesn’t crave the limelight for himself, but rather, he grabs the game by the scruff of the neck while at the same time being a well balanced team player towards his teammates. In the super Eagles he seamless marries the teams reliance on him to make things happen with being a creative spark and support hub for other attackers and strikers in front of him.
Since his inclusion in the team, there is no frills, dramas, or complaints from him, just sheer hardwork and letting his football do the speaking. His inclusion in among the balon d’or nominees has proven to be a well deserved accolade as he’s easily among the top 10 players in the world right now, peaking at the perfect time.
Surely, in him, the super eagles have the making of a future captain.
Now tell me, Who better does the cap fit? Look, Man!
Posterity shall vindicate the just’
Mr Habeeb, an ICT strategist and strategies consultant writes from Abuja, Nigeria.
