May 27, (THEWILL)- From the fields of Peckham, in south-east London, to conquering continental Europe, Ademola Lookman’s meteoric ascent is a modern-day fairytale that has captured the imagination of football fans across the globe. The 26-year-old forward rewrote the history books of European folklore last Wednesday, as his sublime hat-trick propelled the unfancied Atalanta to Europa League glory and ended the extraordinary 51-game unbeaten run of German giants, Bayer Leverkusen.
In a spellbinding individual performance on the grandest of stages, Lookman became just the sixth player in history to net a treble in a major UEFA final as the Italian underdogs thrashed the all-conquering Leverkusen side 3-0 in a seismic shock in Dublin, Ireland. This was David delivering a knockout blow to Goliath.
“I’ve always believed in my ability to create and score goals,” said the humble London-born Nigerian international in the aftermath. This is just the beginning, I hope for more nights like this to get better and better.”
Those honest words underline the sky-high ambitions of a young man whose rise from the streets of South London to the summit of the European game has been as dramatic as it has been improbable. This was the realisation of a childhood dream forged in the early years of his life at Peckham.
Born in Wandsworth to Nigerian parents, Lookman honed his precocious talents in those fabled concrete playgrounds of southeast London, dazzling with his skills before being snapped up by Charlton Athletic’s Academy at the age of just 15. Even in those formative years, he backed himself implicitly.
It was at Charlton that Lookman’s professional career took flight, and he quickly rose through the ranks, making his first-team debut in 2015. A move to Everton followed and Lookman announced himself on the big stage with a scintillating showing on his Everton debut in 2017, scoring one goal in a stunning 4-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s mighty Manchester City. However, despite that dream start, Lookman failed to nail down a regular starting berth at Goodison Park. A series of unfulfilling loan spells at RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester City followed as he struggled to recapture those Toffees highs.
It was not until his £7 million switch to Atalanta in the summer of 2022 that Lookman’s career finally ignited in spectacular fashion under the tutelage of the inspirational 66-year-old coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The veteran manager admitted he could scarcely believe the explosive progress Lookman has made in Bergamo: “We thought he could be a useful player for us, but nobody imagined he could make this much progress.”
In just two prolific seasons in northern Italy, Lookman has plundered 30 goals for the unfashionable Serie A club, his hot streak reaching stratospheric levels with last week’s final heroics against Leverkusen. Not only did the former Charlton prodigy inscribe his name among legends like Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas and Pierino Prati by becoming only the sixth man to score a hat-trick in a European final, he also landed a body blow on one of football’s modern giants.
Leverkusen had arrived in Dublin hoping to continue for an unprecedented “Invincible” treble after romping to the Bundesliga title without a single defeat and booking their place in the German Cup final. However, inspired by Lookman’s blisteringly hot form, the modest Il Goddess from the picturesque city of Bergamo had other ideas, ripping apart the Germans’ previously impenetrable rearguard.
Lookman’s former youth coach, Felix Emanus, was overjoyed at his protege’s triumph, revealing: “I cried when the third goal went in. Ade is a great kid who always wants to learn and reach the top.”
Having already earned his first international cap last year, Lookman’s blistering exploits have seen him installed as a prime contender for the 2024 African Player of the Year award. That would be a seminal moment not just for Lookman and his family but also for the Nigerian football community still revelling in the afterglow of Victor Osimhen claiming that prestigious individual accolade in 2023 after a barren 24-year wait.
Lookman’s inclusion in Nigeria’s squad for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic in June is a major boost for new head coach Finidi George’s side.
From humble beginnings trying to catch the eye as a rookie pro at Charlton, to the personal anguish of being released by both Everton and RB Leipzig, Lookman’s ability to realise his full potential in such jaw-dropping fashion is an uplifting tale.
The Wandsworth wonder has conquered Europe and announced his arrival among the elite stars of the world game. At just 26, he has the opportunity to establish his name alongside the Nigerian icons over the coming years both at club level and on the international stage.
Lookman’s rise is the stuff modern-day dreams are made of. From the fields to the Colosseum of European football, he has completed an odyssey that reminds us all that reputations and price tags count for little in professional sport’s relentless quest for hungry young talent
The resurgence of Nigerian footballers on the global stage, considering the achievements of Victor Boniface with Leverkusen as well, is a phenomenon that bodes well for the future of the beautiful game in the country. Their successes serve as a clarion call for aspiring talents, a reminder that with dedication, hard work, and an unwavering belief in one’s abilities, even the loftiest of dreams can be realised.
As Nigerian football continues to make strides on the international stage, the spotlight will shine ever brighter on its brightest stars. In Lookman, the nation has found a new beacon of hope whose exploits have captured the imagination of fans around the world and inspired a new generation of dreamers.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
