Ademola Lookman on the brink of Champions League history with Atlético Madrid

Atlético Madrid forward Ademola Lookman is closing in on another major milestone as his side prepares to face Arsenal in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League later this month, Afrik-Foot reports.

If the Super Eagles winger features in the tie, he will become just the sixth Nigerian to play at that stage of the competition, marking another historic feat in his career.

The former Atalanta forward has been in remarkable form since his move to Atlético during the winter transfer window and it was his goal in the second leg of their quarterfinal tie against Barcelona which proved decisive.

Despite losing 2-1 on that night, Los Rojiblancos sealed a 3-2 triumph on aggregate, with the 28-year-old’s contribution ultimately sealing their first semifinal appearance in nine years, setting up a meeting with Premier League heavyweights Arsenal.

Ademola Lookman eyes history as Atlético Madrid face Arsenal in UCL semifinal

Featuring in the semifinals would put Ademola Lookman in elite company, as only a few Nigerians have ever played at that level of Europe’s biggest club competition.

Super Eagles legends Finidi George and Nwankwo Kanu both featured in consecutive seasons for Ajax Amsterdam during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 campaigns and were instrumental to the Dutch club’s success in the 1994-95 season.

John Mikel Obi also enjoyed multiple semifinal appearances with Chelsea, before eventually winning the competition in 2012. 

Kelechi Iheanacho also played at the stage with Manchester City in 2016, while Samuel Chukwueze featured for Villarreal in 2022, although both of their sides lost to Real Madrid and Liverpool respectively.

Should Lookman get on the pitch against Arsenal, he would add his name to that prestigious list and could become only the third Nigerian to score in a Champions League semifinal after Finidi George and Obafemi Martins if he manages to find the net across both legs.

For now, Lookman has another big task ahead in the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad on Saturday, where he will be hoping to win silverware and build more momentum heading into the showdown with Arsenal.