Sport
“Choosing Nigeria Was the Best Decision of My Career” – Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman has described his choice to play for Nigeria as one of the most rewarding decisions of his career.
The talented winger, born in Wandsworth, London, to Nigerian parents, initially wore the English jersey at the youth level.
He was part of England’s U-20 team that lifted the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2017, marking a major milestone for the young Three Lions.
However, in February 2022, Lookman made the significant decision to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria.
The decision materialized a month later when he made his debut for the Super Eagles during a crucial 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ghana.
Although Nigeria fell short of securing a place at the World Cup, Lookman’s commitment to his roots had already set the stage for a promising international career.
Earlier this year, Lookman got his first taste of a major tournament with Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire. He didn’t just participate — he shined.
His agility, skill, and composure on the ball earned him three goals and an assist over the course of seven matches.
His standout performances were pivotal in propelling Nigeria to the final, where they narrowly lost to the host nation.
His efforts were recognized when he was named in the AFCON Team of the Tournament.
Reflecting on his journey in an interview with Sporty TV, the 27-year-old expressed how much this chapter of his career has meant to him.
“Choosing to play for Nigeria was a massive turning point for me. Every moment wearing the Super Eagles jersey has been a blessing,” Lookman said.
He mentioned the unity within the squad, emphasizing how the players’ bond and teamwork have contributed to their progress.
“We’ve achieved a lot together and are still growing. The togetherness we share is something special,” he added.
Mohamed Salah has put an end to speculation surrounding his future at Liverpool by signing a new contract with the club.
The Reds confirmed the deal for the 32-year-old forward on Friday, with Salah committing to a two-year extension that will keep him at Anfield until 2027.
Having spent eight years at Liverpool, Salah has enjoyed tremendous success, winning both the Premier League and Champions League titles. In 394 appearances, he has scored 243 goals and provided 111 assists.
“I’m really excited,” Salah said in an interview with the club’s official website. “We have a fantastic team now, and even before, we were strong. I signed because I believe we can win more trophies and I want to continue enjoying my football.”
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed that Ola Aina will miss the club’s upcoming Premier League match against Everton due to injury.
Aina picked up a calf injury during Forest’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United two weeks ago and was absent for last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.
Despite the setback, Nuno is optimistic that the Nigerian defender will be back soon. “For this game, unfortunately, no,” the Portuguese manager said in a press conference. “But for the next one, we hope. We are assessing him day by day.”
He added, “He spends hours at the training ground receiving treatment, and we are doing everything we can to get him back as soon as possible.”
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has explained why he believes Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe will never reach the level of Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ferdinand, who played alongside Ronaldo during his first stint at Manchester United before the Portuguese forward joined Real Madrid in 2009, spoke about Ronaldo’s unique career.
The former England defender highlighted Ronaldo’s ability to reinvent himself, achieving world-class success in two different playing styles. He pointed out that Ronaldo transitioned from being a dazzling winger at Manchester United to a clinical goalscorer at Real Madrid, winning five Ballon d’Ors in the process.
“Ronaldo was from another planet,” Ferdinand said. “There’s no one else I’ve seen with two world-class careers in one. At United, he was an entertainer, then he became a goal machine, winning the Ballon d’Or. Then at Real Madrid, he transformed into a number nine and was still world-class, winning games single-handedly.”
Ferdinand believes Vinicius and Mbappe, though talented, will never be able to replicate Ronaldo’s evolution. “Vinicius isn’t going to go from a left winger to a number nine, and Mbappe hasn’t done it either,” he added. “When you look at Ronaldo’s career, it’s truly something special.”
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