Former Nigeria international Garba Lawal during an interview with Footy-Africa described Ademola Lookman as a “wonder boy” after the forward scored on his UEFA Champions League debut for Atlético Madrid on Wednesday.
The former RB Leipzig forward was on target as Atletico Madrid played played out a 3-3 draw with Belgian giants Club Brugge in UEFA champions league playoff.
The 28-year-old netted Atlético’s second goal in a pulsating six-goal encounter, continuing his impressive start to life under Diego Simeone following his January move from Atalanta.
According to OptaJose, Lookman is the first player to score on his Champions League debut for Atlético since Héctor Herrera against Juventus in September 2019. He is also the first to achieve the feat as a starter since Ángel Correa against Benfica in September 2015.
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Speaking about Lookman’s impact in the Madrid, Lawal labelled the forward as a wonder boy.
“Ademola Lookman is wonder boy and Hes a great player and we can see how he quickly settled in t Athletico,” Lawal told Footy-Africa.
“He played a great against Club Brugge. He linked well and combined with his teammates. Once he understands how they fully, I think he’s going to be difficult to stop.”
Lookman’s latest strike in Belgium for Atlético, means he became only the fifth player to net for two different clubs in a single Champions League season.
The 28-year-old had scored for Atalanta against Eintracht Frankfurt in the first half of the season before moving to Atletico and he now becomes the latest player to score champions league for two different clubs in the same season after Erling Haaland, Dani Olmo, Luis Díaz and Santiago Giménez.
“He’s smart to have left Atalanta at this point. He’s at the right age and the period of his career and to play for a big club like this in the competition like Champions league is great. He’ll definitely scorer more goals before the end of the season,” Lawal said.
Since arriving in Spain, Lookman has scored three goals and further enhanced his growing reputation on the European stage.
Asked if Lookman can become another superstar in La Liga and reach the level of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, Lawal it is possible, but nothing is guaranteed in football:
“Yes it is possible but football is not mathematics where 2+2 is 4. You might expect positive and get negative or vice versa. That’s football for you, but Diego Simeone is a great coach who like to get the best out of his players. He will definitely love Lookman because he works hard for his team and support his teammates.”
