Four years after swapping England’s youth setup (and the promise of a Three Lions call) for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Ademola Lookman reflects on the bold choice that transformed his career.
Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has credited his decision to play for Nigeria as a step that’s immensely influencing his career.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, Lookman’s professional career took root at Charlton Athletic’s academy and saw him become a regular in England’s youth teams, from the under-19s up to the under-21s.
Lookman was part of the England side that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2017, but after repeated snubs from the Three Lions, his switch to Nigeria was announced in 2020, although it wasn’t until 2022 before he played his first match for the three-time African champions.
Reminiscing on the decision four years later, Lookman told Sporty TV, “It was massive. It was massive for me because that was really the big turning point in my career. I think ever since I put on the Super Eagles jersey, it’s been fruitful, you know, and we’ve been able to achieve a lot as a team.
“We’re still going as a team, but the camaraderie of the team is something that’s very special within the squad.”
Since his debut for Nigeria in a World Cup qualifying playoff against the Black Stars of Ghana in 2022, Lookman has made 27 appearances for the Super Eagles, scoring eight goals and registering four assists.
The former RB Leipzig winger was also one of Nigeria’s best players at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he tied with captain William Troost-Ekong as the team’s top scorer with three goals. Lookman earned a spot in the Team of the Tournament alongside Troost-Ekong and Ola Aina.
While the Super Eagles were unable to secure the AFCON title, Lookman remains optimistic about the squad’s potential to build on their current progress.
“I think we showed that in the last AFCON. We got to the final, but unfortunately, we came up a bit short. The foundations are there, you know, and it’s just a fantastic feeling to sit there with pride and represent my country,’’ he said.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Lookman is set to be named the 2024 CAF Player of the Year in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday, December 16, capping an illustrious 2024 campaign with Atalanta and Nigeria.
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