Lookman says switching to play for Nigeria has lifted his game to a new level and hopes to keep getting better

Ademola Lookman made history as the first African player to score a treble in a final of one of the major European competitions and only the second player to score do so in the final of a major European competition for an Italian side, after Pierino Prati for Milan against Ajax in the 1969 European Cup but the Atalanta forward believes his decision to switch allegiance to Nigeria have been the driven force behind his transition to a great player.

Lookman netted thrice to inspire Atalanta to their first major European trophy, becoming the first Italian team to win the UEFA Cup/Europa League since Parma in 1999.

The Nigerian’s goals also ensured Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten run across all competitions came to an end.

Lookman switched allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2022 and made his Super Eagles debut in March of the same year in the goalless draw with Ghana in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Auchi.

He has featured 20 more times, scoring six goals which included the three at the Africa Cup of Nations this year in Cote d’Ivoire against Cameroun (brace in 20- win) and once in the quarterfinal against Angola. He has also provided four assists.

‘The unwavering support and love I get from our people back home are unbelievable. It gives me the motivation to inspire myself in different areas, not just in my game but also as a person,’ said Lookman in a post-match interview.

He added that the support has taken him to a new level.

‘Competing at AFCON this January, unfortunately we lost in the final but the whole tournament I think catapulted us to be the Eagles back again. That’s incredible.’

Lookman hopes this will be the beginning of great things to happen for him.

‘These past two years I’ve been able to take my game to a whole new level. Maybe it could have come earlier, but it has come now. But this is just the beginning. I hope for more nights like this and to just keep getting better and better,’ he said.