In-form Super Eagles forward and 2024 Ballon d’Or nominee, Ademola Lookman, is set to make his long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League, 1,793 days after his debut nearly five years ago.
Lookman’s first appearance in the competition came in 2019 during RB Leipzig’s 2-1 victory over Zenit St Petersburg. He played 69 minutes in their third Group G match before being substituted for Danish striker Yussuf Poulsen.
Also read: ‘Aina’s performance vs Liverpool, best I’ve seen this season’ – Ian Wright
At 26, Lookman’s career has taken many turns since that Champions League debut. After struggling for consistency, he spent time on loan at Fulham and Leicester City before revitalizing his form with a permanent move to Atalanta in 2022. That transfer has proven to be a turning point in his career.
Since arriving in Bergamo, Ademola Lookman has hit his stride, scoring in double figures across two consecutive seasons. His performances have drawn interest from top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, during the recent summer transfer window.
Now, the Nigeria international is eager to make his mark in Europe’s premier competition once again. With Atalanta set to face Arsenal at the Gewiss Stadium, Lookman will be hungry to score his first-ever Champions League goal against the Gunners.
Last season, Ademola Lookman cemented his place in Atalanta’s history by scoring a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final, helping his team defeat Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. That historic victory marked Atalanta’s rise on the European stage, and Lookman will look to build on that success in the Champions League.
