Ademola Lookman produced a showstopping performance as Atalanta ended Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run to emerge winners of the 2023 Europa League.
The Nigerian winger became the first footballer to score a hat-trick in a European final to hand Atalanta their first European title in 61 years.
A first-half brace in the 12th and 26th minute and a 75th-minute strike by the former England youth player sank Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin in an intriguing Europa League final clash.
Lookman’s heroics came a few months after he suffered a heartbreak in his first major international tournament with the Nigeria national team in 2023 AFCON.
The 26-year-old starred in the tournament, scoring 3 goals with 2 assists to power the team to the final where they lost to tournament’s hosts Ivory Coast.
Reflecting on playing for Nigeria after the Europa League triumph, Lookman told UEFA website it’s been incredible playing for the Super Eagles due to the massive love and support.
“It’s incredible [to play for Nigeria]. The support and the love I get back home from the people is unbelievable,” he told the UEFA official website.
“It gives me the motivation to evolve in different areas – as a person, not just in my game.”
The Wandsworth-born winger and Charlton Academy graduate played for England youth teams. He registered 5 appearances for England U19, 15 appearances with England U20, scoring 4 goals, and 11 appearances with the U21, scoring one goal.
After an apparent deadlock with attempts to break into the England senior setup, the former RB Leipzig star opted to represent Nigeria national team in 2022.
He has won 21 caps with the Super Eagles, scoring 6 goals, and will be expected to play a big role as the Super Eagles prepare for CAF 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Benin Republic and South Africa.
