Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles forward, says that deciding to play for Nigeria instead of England was a very important choice in his football journey.
In a talk with ARISE TV, the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year explained that this choice changed not only his career but also how he feels about who he is.
“Without a doubt, it changed my career and my life,” Lookman said. “People know that. This is my home. This is my place. I enjoy it here. I am the son of the soil.”
Lookman was born in London and played for England’s youth teams. But when he chose to represent Nigeria, his career took off. He became famous after scoring three goals in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, helping Atalanta win their first big European trophy.
Now 27 years old and one of the best forwards in Europe, Lookman says his success comes from being disciplined and working hard every day.
“I think it was just self-belief and working hard every day. When you work hard every single day, you gain confidence and grow in what you do. You know that eventually, your hard work will pay off.”
He also shared that this strong mindset helped him get through tough times, like when he was on loan at Fulham and missed an important penalty.
“Every day, I try to improve myself, both on and off the pitch. That consistency and mindset have really helped me.”
Winning the African Footballer of the Year award, he said, was deeply personal.
“It’s amazing. Honestly, I won’t lie to you, it’s a privilege to have it. I take it with real pride. I’ve seen the great players who have received this award — some of the biggest names in football. For me to be among them is a blessing.”
Lookman recently went back to Lagos to give his award to President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. During the visit, he also went to Phase 2, where he grew up with his grandmother and father.
“It was really important for me to bring this award back home. I’ve been cradling it all day. Bringing it back to Lagos means everything. That’s where I brought it back to, and today, I had the honour of presenting it to the President. That meant a lot.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu called Lookman a symbol of the “Greater Lagos Rising” spirit and said he is a great example for many young Nigerians.
When asked if he would be satisfied if he retired today, Lookman was clear:
“Definitely not. Retirement is nowhere in my thoughts. Not even close. There’s still a long journey ahead. So much more to achieve. This is just another chapter of that journey.”
Because of his amazing season, many top English clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United want to sign him. Atalanta has set a price of 50 million euros for Lookman, who is now one of the most valuable forwards in Europe.
