7 Nigerian Stars Who Have Won UEFA Europa League After Ademola Lookman’s Triumph With Atalanta

• Ademola Lookman has joined the list of Nigerians who have won the Europa League
• The forward inspired Atalanta to their first major title, scoring a hat-trick in the final
• Six other Nigerians have previously won the prize, including Chelsea's John Obi Mikel

Nigeria's Ademola Lookman produced a breathtaking performance as Atalanta won the UEFA Europa League title on Wednesday night, May 22.

The 26-year-old practically won it for his side against Bayer Leverkusen after netting a hat-trick in front of over 46,000 fans at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Lookman scored twice in the first half and then added the icing on the cake late in the second half to win it for his side 3-0.

Victory for the Italian club on the night also ended Leverkusen's 51-game unbeaten run.

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Lookman also set a new record by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the competition's final

He joins an exclusive list of seven Nigerians who have previously won the prestigious prize.

Nigerians who won the Europa League title

Taribo West and Nwankwo Kanu - 1997/1998

Italian giants, Inter Milan, were winners of the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) during the 1997/1998 football season.

During the campaign, Nigerian stars Taribo West and Nwankwo Kanu played a crucial role for the Nerazzurri.

Despite injuries, Kanu made five appearances in the tournament, while Taribo played eight games and scored a goal, Transfermarkt reports.

Chidi Odiah - 2004/2005

Right-back, Chidi Odiah, was part of the CSKA Moscow squad that won the UEFA Cup during the 2004/2005 season.

The former Super Eagles defender made over 10 appearances at the continental showpiece during the campaign, scoring one goal.

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John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses - 2012/2013

Mikel and Victor Moses inspired Chelsea to a Europa League glory during the 2012/2013 campaign.

This came barely one year after the London club won the Champions League, thereby making Mikel the first Nigerian to win both major European titles and the second African to achieve such a feat.

Samuel Chukwueze - 2020/2021

Pacey winger, Samuel Chukwueze, had a sensational European campaign during the 2020/2021 season.

He was part of the Villarreal squad that won the prize during the campaign. He made 11 appearances and scored one goal.

Ademola Lookman - 2023/2024

Ademola Lookman inspired Atalanta to their first major European title, scoring a hat-trick in the final as they defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.

He made 11 appearances in the competitions, scored five goals and registered one assist.

Gasperini impressed with Lookman's progress

Sports Brief earlier reported that Atalanta coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, admitted nobody could have expected Lookman’s progress after the Nigerian singlehandedly won him his first trophy as manager.

The attacker joined the Italians two seasons ago after struggling to find his footing in the Premier League and the Bundesliga but has been transformed by his manager into a player being celebrated today.