Ademola Lookman: Why Nigerian is a Favourite for 2024 CAF Player of the Year Award
FootballAdemola Lookman Eyes More Glory Nights After Triple in Europa League Final
- Ademola Lookman’s heroics led Atalanta to win the Europa League
- The Nigerian winger scored a hat-trick in the final versus Bayer Leverkusen
- Lookman wants to win more trophies after clinching the Europa League
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Ademola Lookman’s Europa League hat-trick last night was the apex of a stellar season for club and country, but the Nigerian winger is not settling as he eyes more glory days.
The 26-year-old forward won his first trophy at club level in remarkable fashion, scoring all three goals as Atalanta pummelled Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to end the German club’s 51-game unbeaten run.
According to GOAL, Lookman became the first man after Jupp Heynckes in 1975 to score three times in a Europa League/UEFA Cup final and also the first African to achieve such a feat.
The former Everton player had featured in two previous finals this season, losing the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final with Nigeria and also the Coppa Italia final against Juventus before redeeming himself with the Europa League title.
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Lookman was named in the Afcon's best XI, won the Europa League final, and was man of the match for the final and the Nigerian feels the best is yet to come.
Lookman targets more career trophies
Lookman ended Atalanta’s trophy drought since 1963 when the club last won the Coppa Italia after leading Gian Piero Gasperini’s men to the Europa League title, BBC reports.
The 26-year-old is now the top contender for the 2024 Africa Footballer of the Year award after a stellar season that has seen him produce a total of 20 goals and 10 assists from 57 games across all competitions.
Why Lookman should succeed Osimhen as CAF's Player of the Year
FootballLookman described the Europa League final as one of the best nights of his life as he now eyes winning more individual and team accolades following a successful 2023/24 campaign.
Lookman celebrates title with mother
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Lookman shared the stage with his mother after scoring three goals in Atalanta's Europa League victory on the biggest night of his career.
The Nigerian forward stole the show with a masterful performance as the Italian outfit ended the German champions' unbeaten run of over 50 games.
Lookman opened the scoring in the 12th minute after blindsiding Exequiel Palacios, before curling home at distance for his second of the first half.