Ademola Lookman Eyes More Glory Nights After Triple in Europa League Final

Ademola Lookman Eyes More Glory Nights After Triple in Europa League Final

Chukwu Ikechukwu
May 23, 2024 at 11:23 AM
In this article:
Ademola Lookman logo
A. Lookman
Atalanta logoFNigeria logo
Atalanta logo
Atalanta
Italy
49
Bayer Leverkusen logo
Bayer Leverkusen
Germany
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UEFA Europa League logo
UEFA Europa League
Europe
Nigeria logo
Nigeria
Nigeria
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Italy logo
Italy
Italy
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  • 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.

Ademola Lookman, Europa League, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Italy, Nigeria
Ademola Lookman poses with the Europa League trophy and match ball after netting a hat-trick in the final versus Bayer Leverkusen. Photo by Alex Pantling.
Source: Getty Images

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.

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.

Lookman 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.

Authors
Chukwu Ikechukwu photo
Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..