“To be recognised as the best player in Africa is something incredible,” Ademola Lookman said, standing tall in Marrakech, Morocco, as he received the continent’s most prestigious individual accolade — the African Player of the Year Award. “Just over four years ago, I failed in front of the world, and fast-forward four years, I’m the best player in Africa,” he added, reflecting on a career that has taken him from the brink of despair to the pinnacle of African football.
Lookman’s story is nothing short of extraordinary — a redemption tale that has seen him rise from unfulfilled potential to one of the continent’s brightest stars. His transformative journey began with a move to Atalanta in 2022, where he silenced critics and enjoyed a breakthrough that culminated in being crowned Africa’s best footballer.
The turning point: A Career shaped by resilience
Lookman’s career trajectory was anything but straightforward. In November 2020, while on loan at Fulham from German side RB Leipzig, he suffered a career-defining setback. In the dying moments of a Premier League game against West Ham, Fulham were awarded a penalty. Known for his composure, Lookman stepped up — only to produce a weak Panenka that was easily caught by goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. The miss became a defining low point. Reflecting on the moment in an interview with Guardian, Lookman later admitted, “When that incident happened, I couldn’t even describe the devastation. I can only try to atone for that error… it’s about how I come back and turn it into something positive.”
More Read
That moment, however, served as a turning point. What followed was a remarkable display of perseverance, self-belief, and the relentless drive of a true champion. This is the story of how a setback became a springboard for triumph — and how Lookman ascended to football greatness.
Breaking out at Charlton Athletic
Lookman’s football journey began humbly at Charlton Athletic, where he signed as a 16-year-old in 2013. His stellar performances for the youth team quickly earned him a first-team spot, and he made his senior debut in 2015. Across two seasons, Lookman established himself as one of the Championship’s brightest talents, scoring 12 goals and providing three assists in 49 appearances.
His potential caught the attention of Premier League side Everton, who secured his services in January 2017 for a reported £11 million. Speaking of the young Lookman Everton coach Ronald Keoman said in an interview with BBC. “We expect a lot from the boy. I think he is one who can reach a high level if he develops well and improves.”
Lookman made an instant impact, scoring on his debut in a 4-0 victory over Manchester City. However, his development at Everton was hindered by managerial instability, with six different managers during his two-and-a-half-year spell. Still, his undeniable talent continued to shine through.
A German sojourn: Loan to Leipzig and the COVID-19 setback
In search of more playing time, Lookman joined RB Leipzig on loan in 2018. He flourished in Germany, scoring on his debut and tallying eight goals in just 11 Bundesliga matches. Impressed by his performances, Leipzig made the move permanent in 2019. Unfortunately, the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic limited Lookman to just 13 appearances, stalling his momentum.
Struggles and rebirth: From Fulham to Leicester City
Seeking a fresh start, Lookman returned to the Premier League on loan, first with Fulham in 2020 and later with Leicester City in 2021. While his time at Fulham was overshadowed by the infamous penalty miss against West Ham, he still managed to score a handful of crucial goals. His coach, Scott Parker, emphasised the importance of learning from mistakes, encouraging Lookman to channel the experience into growth. “I am disappointed and angry, you cannot take penalties like that and he knows that” he told Match of the Day. “The boy has made a mistake. Ade is the first to understand that. When you are young and you are learning you have to learn quick. He is disappointed and rightly so. This is part and parcel of football, of growing as players and as a team. We’ll get around him now.”
Lookman’s loan spell at Leicester proved more fruitful. He contributed six goals and six assists, including a match-winning strike against Liverpool. Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers lauded his impact, but the club’s financial constraints meant they could not make the move permanent. “He scored some massive goals for me at Leicester, he scored the winning goal in a game against Liverpool at home, it was a brilliant individual goal,” Rodgers said in an interview with Alan Brazil and Gabriel Agbonlabor on talkSPORT Breakfast. “The only sad part, for us was that at the end of the season, we could have bought him for 14 million pounds, but you think back to that summer, we couldn’t sign any players.”
The Revival at Atalanta
The turning point in Lookman’s career came with his move to Atalanta in 2022. Under Gian Piero Gasperini’s tutelage, Lookman unlocked his full potential. He scored 15 goals and provided six assists in his debut Serie A season, helping Atalanta secure European football. His second season, however, was even more spectacular. Lookman led the club to triumphs in the Coppa Italia and Europa League, with a standout hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final.
His exploits earned him global recognition. In 2023, Lookman became the first Atalanta player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or while still at the club. By year’s end, he was crowned the CAF Best Player, cementing his status as one of Africa’s elite talents.
International legacy: Switching allegiance to Nigeria
Lookman’s international career mirrored his club journey, marked by key decisions and milestones. Initially representing England at youth level, he played a pivotal role in their U-20 World Cup victory in 2017. Despite his success, Lookman struggled to break into England’s senior team, prompting the Nigerian Football Federation to approach him.
In January 2020, Lookman officially switched allegiance to Nigeria. He debuted for the Super Eagles in a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ghana. By 2023, Lookman was a central figure in Nigeria’s run to the AFCON final, scoring pivotal goals against Cameroon and Angola. Despite Nigeria finishing as runners-up, Lookman earned a place in the tournament’s Team of the Tournament.
A star in the making
Lookman’s story is one of redemption, perseverance, and triumph. From a promising talent marred by setbacks to Africa’s football king, he has inspired countless fans with his resilience and determination. As Atalanta continues its push for Serie A glory, Lookman remains a linchpin in their success.
With his extraordinary journey from outcast to African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman’s rise is a testament to the power of perseverance and the boundless possibilities of self-belief. His future shines as brightly as his achievements, and many believe he could become the first Nigerian to win consecutive CAF Best Player Awards — a fitting legacy for Africa’s new football king.
© Bold Media Innovations & Creative Hub Limited. All rights reserved. If sharing, kindly credit Bold Sports as the source and include a link to the original post. Unauthorised use is prohibited.
