Lookman: Choosing to play for Nigeria took my game to next level

Ademola Lookman says the “unwavering support and love” from Nigerians since he switched allegiance to the Super Eagles has “taken me to a new level”. 

Lookman spoke on Wednesday at the post-match press conference after his hattrick helped Atalanta defeat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to win the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League (UEL) title.

The Nigerian was the player of the match as the Bergamo-based club became the first Italian club to win the UEL since it was renamed in 2009.

He scored the three spine-tingling goals to become the first player to net a hattrick in the UEL final and the first African to do so in a major European Cup final.

Speaking on his feat, Lookman, who switched allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2022, said his game improved immensely “in the past two years”.

The former Everton forward added that he “always had confidence in my ability to create and score goals” and is glad the rest of the world can now witness his prowess.

“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,” Lookman said.

“It has taken me to a new level. Competing at AFCON this January, unfortunately we lost in the final. But the whole tournament catapulted us to be the Eagles back again.

“I have always had confidence in my ability to create, score goals, help my teammates and assist them. In the past two years, I have been able to take my game to a new level. I have been able to show that on a more consistent basis. Maybe it could have come a bit earlier, but it has come now. I am pleased with the progress that I made. This is just the beginning. I hope for more nights like this.”

Lookman scored three goals at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire as the Eagles finished second. He was also named in the competition’s best eleven.