Sport
“I’ve Always Believed in Myself” – Ademola Lookman Reflects on His Rise with Atalanta
Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has credited Serie A club Atalanta for playing a crucial role in his impressive rise to football stardom.
After a challenging start to his career, Lookman’s move to Atalanta in 2022 proved to be the turning point he needed.
Before joining the Italian club, Lookman struggled to find his footing in the Premier League, having stints at Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City without making a significant impact.
His time at Bundesliga side RB Leipzig also proved difficult, and for a while, it seemed as though his potential might go unfulfilled.
However, everything changed when Lookman made the move to Atalanta.
In just a short time, he transformed into one of the most exciting forwards in Europe, a feat that culminated in him being named Africa’s best player during the prestigious awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco.
Reflecting on his success, Lookman explained that the environment at Atalanta has been key to his development.
“The environment that the club provided for me has been a huge factor in my growth as a player,” he shared in an interview with Flashscore.
“It’s not just about my personal belief in myself, but also about the perfect timing.
I’ve always known I could achieve great things, and now, the time has come.”
Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero has taken a light jab at Cristiano Ronaldo while praising Lionel Messi as one of the best players in football history. Speaking with talkSPORT, the former Argentina striker highlighted Messi’s impact at Inter Miami, saying the club had little to celebrate before the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner joined.
Aguero said, “It’s a big deal for Inter Miami, especially with Leo there. Even if it hurts some Ronaldo fans, Messi is one of those players everyone wants to watch.”
He pointed out that since Messi arrived, Inter Miami has lifted trophies they had never won before, including the MLS title in 2023 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2024. In contrast, Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has only managed to win the Arab Club Champions Cup since joining the team.
Former Atalanta striker Germán Denis has advised Ademola Lookman to consider a move to Napoli this summer. Denis believes the Nigerian forward would be a strong addition to the Serie A champions, praising his progress and current form.
“Lookman has grown a lot. He’s now a game-changer and would be a perfect fit for Napoli,” Denis said in an interview with Radio Goal, as shared by Napoli Magazine.
Lookman, who joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022, has been linked with a possible transfer this summer. The 27-year-old played a key role in helping Atalanta lift the 2024 UEFA Europa League trophy.
Kylian Mbappé has named former Spanish international Sergio Ramos as his ideal captain, calling him a natural-born leader. In an interview with Canal Plus, the French forward praised Ramos for his commanding presence and influence both on and off the pitch.
“My dream captain? Sergio Ramos,” Mbappé said. “He was born to lead. Whether it’s in the dressing room or on the field, his presence speaks for itself. Even without the armband, it feels like the armband chooses him.”
Mbappé and Ramos shared two seasons together at Paris Saint-Germain, appearing in 51 matches as teammates. The connection between the two clearly left a mark on the 25-year-old striker. Ramos eventually returned to La Liga with Sevilla after leaving PSG. As for Mbappé, he made headlines by joining Real Madrid in 2024 after choosing not to renew his contract with PSG, leaving on a free transfer.
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