Ademola Lookman has identified two Premier League defenders as the standout challenges of his professional career. Speaking in an interview with ESPN, the 28-year-old Atlético Madrid and Super Eagles forward named Chelsea captain Reece James and Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk when asked to select the toughest opponents he has faced in one-on-one situations.
Lookman attributed his selections to distinct qualities in each player — the imposing physical presence of James and the near-impenetrable positional discipline of Van Dijk. Both defenders are widely regarded as elite at the top level, and the pair regularly feature in discussions around the best in their respective positions. During the same ESPN sit-down, Lookman was also asked which footballer’s attributes he most admires, and he immediately pointed to current Atlético Madrid teammate Antoine Griezmann.
The winger’s direct experiences against both James and Van Dijk were accumulated during an earlier, more turbulent phase of his career in English football. Lookman had loan spells at Fulham and Leicester City, as well as a permanent stint at Everton, before eventually departing the Premier League. During those years in England, he found it difficult to establish himself as a consistent first-team force at any of those clubs.
His fortunes changed significantly after leaving English football permanently in August 2022. A move to Atalanta proved transformative, culminating in arguably the defining moment of his career to date — a hat-trick in the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League final that single-handedly secured the trophy for the Bergamo club. The performance elevated his profile considerably and confirmed him as one of Europe’s most dangerous attackers.
Lookman subsequently made the move to Atlético Madrid, where he has continued his upward trajectory under manager Diego Simeone. In the 2025/26 season, he has played a key role in guiding Atlético into the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Should Atlético progress and ultimately win the competition, it would represent the club’s first ever UEFA Champions League title — a historic achievement that Lookman could be central to delivering.
At 28, Lookman is currently operating at the peak of his powers. His journey from inconsistent Premier League squad player to a decisive force in both the Europa League and the Champions League represents one of the more compelling career revivals in recent European football. His first-hand battles against James and Van Dijk during those formative English years now form part of a broader story of a player who learned and adapted on his way to the elite level.
