New Delhi: In December 2024, Ademola Lookman stood tall in Marrakesh, wearing a traditional Nigerian robe and clutching the award for African Player of the Year. At 27, the Nigeria international’s career had come full circle, epitomizing resilience, dedication, and belief. “This is for the youth of Africa,” Lookman said, his voice filled with emotion. “Never give up. Turn pain into power.”
Who would know better than Lookman how to turn pain into power with the England born International facing adversity early on in his career. After breaking through at Charlton Athletic, he earned a big move to Everton where he scored on his debut, getting his career off to a dream start before things started going downhill for the now 27-year old. After floundering for much of his early career, he was finally able to find his feet in Italy.
The honor was the pinnacle of a remarkable journey, one that saw Lookman overcome early struggles to thrive at both club and international levels. His performances for Atalanta, where he has become a talismanic figure, and Nigeria, where he inspired a run to the Africa Cup of Nations final, have cemented his status as one of the finest players on the continent. His rebirth in Italy since joining Atalanta in 2022 has not only transformed his career but also served as an inspiring tale for aspiring footballers worldwide.
Struggles in England and Germany
Ademola Lookman’s journey to stardom began in south London, where he grew up in a Nigerian household that emphasized education as much as football. A product of Charlton Athletic’s academy, Lookman burst onto the scene with the Addicks in the 2015/16 season, showcasing electrifying pace and technical flair. Premier League side Everton quickly snapped him up for £11 million in January 2017, with then-manager Ronald Koeman touting him as a star of the future.
Lookman marked his debut in sensational fashion, scoring against Manchester City in a memorable 4-0 victory. Yet, what seemed like the perfect start soon unraveled. Everton’s managerial instability that saw the club change six managers in two and a half years hindered Lookman’s development. He struggled for consistent minutes and never fully adapted to the physical and tactical demands of England’s top flight.
Ademola Lookman redemption has been a sensational journey. From a flop at Everton to a hat-trick hero in a Europa League final match.
Congratulations 🎊 to Lookman pic.twitter.com/bK5CpRWO9V
— Osure Odima (@osureodima) December 16, 2024
He was loaned out to RB Leipzig, a club that is well known for developing young players and it looked like he would fit like a glove there and he proved that initially. Lookman shone briefly during a stint at RB Leipzig in 2018, scoring five goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances. His performances earned him a permanent move to the German club in 2019, but his progress stalled again. Limited to just one league start in his first full season, Lookman appeared to have lost his way.
The German outfit decided to loan him back to his home nation and a journey of loan spells started for the Nigerian. He would first be loaned to Fulham for the 2020/21 season and then to Leicester City for the 2021/22 season but neither moves worked out too well. He showed glimpses of his talent at both clubs but it never looked like he would become more than a squad player at any major top flight club. At 24, Lookman was at a crossroads, his undeniable talent overshadowed by inconsistency.
Breakthrough campaign with Atalanta
Everything changed for Lookman in August 2022 when he joined Italian highflyers Atalanta. Moving to Italy was a calculated risk, but one that Lookman fully embraced. The Serie A side’s attacking philosophy suited his game, and the “chilled” atmosphere in Bergamo provided the perfect backdrop for a fresh start. Without the weight of expectations on his shoulders, Lookman began to the add consistency to his game that was missing earlier.
The results were instant. Lookman thrived under Gian Piero Gasperini, becoming a vital cog in Atalanta’s high-octane system. His ability to exploit spaces, combine effectively with teammates, and deliver decisive moments made him indispensable. His first season in Bergamo produced his best numbers at that point with Lookman contributing to 15 goals and eight assists in just 33 games all competitions.
Africa 🌎 Nigeria 🇳🇬 South London 🥷 Bergamo 💙 This one’s for you 🫡 pic.twitter.com/qPtA5lNC03
— Ademola Lookman (@Alookman_) May 23, 2024
However, the best was yet to come and the 2023/24 season was a revelation for the Nigerian. Lookman scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists across all competitions. His crowing moment came in Atalanta’s final match of the season as he scored a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen. His treble not only secured Atalanta their first European trophy but also made him the first player in 49 years to score three goals in a European club final.
“Winning the Europa League was a dream come true,” Lookman said. “It’s moments like these that remind you why you never stop fighting.” His domestic form was just as impactful, as Lookman’s contributions helped Atalanta finish in the top four of Serie A and secure a return to the Champions League. From flopping in the two of the top five leagues in the world, Lookman was finally flying in another top five league and doing so consistently.
Leading Atalanta’s title charge
His performances did not stop there though as he’s picked up where he left off from last season and is once again leading the line for Atalanta this season. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have taken advantage of AC Milan and Juventus’ faltering form and currently sit atop the Serie A standings. They’ve won the most number of games in the league till now and have scored 39 goals, only one less than top scorers Inter Milan.
Lookman is once again leading the charge for the trophy, which could potentially be the club’s first ever Scudetto. The 27-year-old has already contributed to 16 goals in the season in just 19 games with eight goals and four assists in the 13 Serie A games. The club have never won the Serie A before and Lookman is leading the way for them, just like he did last season with the UEFA Europa League.
Atalanta open up a 5️⃣-point lead in Serie A 🔵⚫️ pic.twitter.com/Ad3lWRK6Ch
— 433 (@433) December 14, 2024
Winning African Player of the Year in 2024 was a fitting culmination of Lookman’s transformation. His numbers for the club, 43 goals and 23 assists in 97 appearances, are a testament to his consistency and growth. Yet, beyond the stats, it’s Lookman’s resilience and determination that stand out.
“Four years ago, my career felt like it was over,” he said during his acceptance speech. “Now, I’m here as Africa’s best. Don’t let your failures stop your dreams.” With Atalanta leading Serie A and Nigeria aiming for continental glory, Lookman’s story is far from over. But for now, his journey serves as a powerful reminder: greatness often stems from overcoming adversity.
The Nigerian had a tough start to his career with stints in England and Germany not working out for the attacker before finding his feet in Italy with Atalanta and becoming a cult hero for the club. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
