Ademola Lookman: French World Cup winner issues two-word advise to Nigerian star

Former France and Barcelona defender Samuel Yves Umtiti has given Super Eagles and Atletico Madrid star Ademola Lookman some words of encouragement to keep him at the top, Afrik Foot reports.

The 32-year-old was in attendance at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano when Atletico Madrid defeated his former side by a 4-0 scoreline in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-final.

Ademola Lookman, Julian Alvarez and Umititi’s ex-France teammate, Antoine Griezmann, all found the back of the net in what was a stunning performance.

After the game, Griezmann gifted Lookman’s jersey to Umtiti after the Nigerian took over the headlines following a brilliant display that embodied his first goal contributions in front of the Atletico Madrid home crowd.

Umtiti issues two-word advise to Ademola Lookman

The 2018 FIFA World Cup-winning defender was at the Wanda Metropolitano on punditry duties with DAZN, and after hailing Lookman for his ability to make good decisions at the right time, urged him to keep his head down and continue the work that has brought him thus far.

“Keep going like this, you have to keep going,” the two-time La Liga winner told Lookman.

“Players like these, Antoine [Griezmann], very clever, and Julian [Alvarez], also very technical. So you have to keep going,” Umtiti reiterated, urging the 2024 CAF Player of the Year to keep up the on-field chemistry with his teammates.

🤭 | Ademola Lookman est plus timide en interview que sur le terrain. 🎙🇳🇬 #AtlétiBarça #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/ag3RT4hOG4

— DAZN France (@DAZN_FR) February 13, 2026

“I think all of the players are very technical in that aspect, so they sort of know where everyone else is on the pitch,” Lookman responded, praising the awareness of the Atleti players.

“So, it’s just about anticipating what to do and when to do it, so it’s nice to play alongside them,” the ex-Atalanta man concluded.

Lookman has now scored two goals and provided two assists in three games for Diego Simeone’s men across all competitions.