Atalanta's manager Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken out about the exceptional growth of Ademola Lookman, declaring that the Super Eagles star has carved his place among the world’s best footballers.
The Nigerian winger's development at the Serie A club has been nothing short of remarkable, with Gasperini drawing attention to his impressive consistency and adaptability.
Since making the move to Atalanta from Leicester City, Lookman has evolved into one of the standout players in Europe, earning praise for his ability to thrive in various attacking partnerships.
Under Gasperini, he has not only been a key contributor with his goals but has also shown resilience, helping Atalanta challenge Europe’s elite.
Lookman: A world-class talent in Serie A
Lookman’s rise to prominence has been highlighted by his standout performances, including a memorable hat-trick that ended Bayer Leverkusen's 51-match unbeaten streak and a brace that halted Napoli’s 10-match run.
These contributions, coupled with his exceptional consistency, have made the 26-cap Super Eagles star a cornerstone of Atalanta’s attacking force.
The 27-year-old’s impressive statistics—17 goals and 11 assists this year alone—place him at the top of Serie A in goal involvements.
In recognition of his outstanding performances, Lookman has also been nominated for the 2024 African Player of the Year award.
Gasperini’s comments in a recent press conference ahead of Atalanta’s UEFA Champions League clash with Stuttgart highlight the significant strides Lookman has made.
“He has had a fantastic evolution. Lookman already did well alongside Rasmus Hojlund, then had Gianluca Scamacca and De Ketelaere as partners before Retegui.
“At this moment, he is among the top players in Europe, and that means on the world stage too.”
“He is still in the running to win the African Player of the Year Award, but the most important thing is his evolution and consistency.”
