Atlético Madrid have voiced growing concern over the workload of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman following the recent international break, as the club prepares for a decisive stretch of the season.
The Spanish side saw a significant number of players depart for national team duty, with 14 squad members involved across various fixtures. According to AS, the cumulative burden placed on these players has sparked frustration within the club, particularly as the majority of matches played were international friendlies with little competitive value.
Lookman was among the most heavily used players during the break, featuring for Nigeria national football team in back-to-back friendlies against Iran and Jordan. The winger completed the full 90 minutes in both matches, amassing 180 minutes in total.
At Atlético, this has not gone unnoticed. As reported by AS, the club believes the decision to play Lookman for the entirety of both fixtures was excessive, especially given the non-competitive nature of the games. There is a growing sense within the Madrid outfit that greater caution should have been exercised to protect key players.
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The concerns extend beyond Lookman alone. The club endured what has been described as a physically demanding international window, with players collectively logging over 1,400 minutes in friendly matches. The situation has already led to setbacks, including an injury to Johnny Cardoso and fitness concerns surrounding Alexander Sørloth.
With crucial fixtures on the horizon — including major clashes in domestic and European competitions — Atlético are now focused on carefully managing player fitness. Lookman, who has been in impressive form since his arrival, remains a central figure in their plans, making his physical condition a top priority in the weeks ahead.
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