By : Lloyd Mahachi
Ademola Lookman, Nigerian winger, has shared his inspiring journey from England’s youth teams to becoming a key player for the Super Eagles. Despite winning the Under-20 World Cup with England in 2017, Lookman’s heart always belonged to Nigeria. “I was always a Nigerian, born and raised in the UK,” he emphasized. “I’ve always been in touch with my people, with the culture. I was coming to and from Nigeria from a kid.”
This deep-rooted connection made his decision to switch allegiance to Nigeria in 2022 an easy one. Lookman’s performances for Nigeria have made him a fan favorite, particularly during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He scored three goals in Ivory Coast and was named to the tournament’s best XI.
As Lookman continues to shine on the international stage, whispers of a potential Ballon D’Or nomination are growing louder. His impressive goal-scoring record, creativity, and work rate make him an attractive candidate. Lookman’s drive to succeed and his “never satisfied” mindset are key characteristics of a Ballon D’Or winner.
Although Nigeria lost the final 2-1 to the hosts, Lookman remains proud of the team’s achievement. “We came up a bit short, but [we are] proud as a group to have shown our football in that manner,” he said. Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign has been marred by instability and coaching changes.
However, Lookman remains optimistic about the team’s future. “I think we’ve been positive in our approach in the past few games,” he noted. With qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations concluding next month, Lookman is focused on achieving greatness. “Everybody knows we have a squad full of talent. And as we gel together, we’ll show that a bit more. We’re all working hard towards the same goal.”
Personally, Lookman is driven to succeed. “I’m anticipating the future because I’m looking forward to achieving great things,” he said. “I’m never really satisfied. That’s always my mindset – let’s go for more. I’m just focused [to] keep on fighting for the things I want.” With this mentality, Lookman’s Ballon D’Or ambitions don’t seem far-fetched.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi
