Lookman: New Atletico Madrid signing set to test Barcelona in chase for Copa glory

Ademola Lookman will walk into Thursday night’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg with a reputation built for the biggest stages, Afrik-Foot reports.

Atletico Madrid will be counting on Lookman’s big-stage mentality when Barcelona arrive at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Few forwards in Europe carry a sharper instinct for high-pressure moments.

Lookman has already shown Spanish audiences what he can do, scoring and assisting on his Copa del Rey debut as Atletico swept Real Betis aside 5-0.

¡Mirada puesta en la Copa! 👀🏆 pic.twitter.com/AwUCqZY43l

— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) February 11, 2026

That performance announced the forward, signed from Atalanta for €35 million this winter, quickly as a key weapon in Diego Simeone’s side.

The Nigerian has never been overawed by elite opposition. In Italy, he tormented the biggest clubs: scoring five times against Napoli, four against AC Milan, and repeatedly hurting Juventus, Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter. Even during his earlier Premier League years, he found the net against Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United.

But the night that defined Lookman came in a European final; three ruthless finishes against Bayer Leverkusen to deliver Atalanta their first major trophy. A hat-trick on the grandest stage perfectly describes what Atletico now possess: a forward who rises when the spotlight is brightest.

Barcelona may be flying high, but Lookman’s career has been built on disrupting giants.

Atletico vs Barcelona: Host’s hopes rest on Lookman’s big-game edge

This semi-final also carries a hint of unfinished business for Simeone’s men. Barcelona ended their Copa del Rey run at the same stage last season after a dramatic first leg and a narrow defeat in the return fixture.

Atletico responded this year by demolishing Real Betis in the quarter-finals, a match driven by Lookman’s sharp movement and clinical delivery. Yet domestic inconsistency has followed, with only two wins in their last five outings across all competitions.

With La Liga leaders Barcelona already 13 points clear, the Copa del Rey now represents Atletico’s clearest route to silverware, and Lookman stands at the heart of that ambition.

The visitors arrive in ruthless form, winning six straight matches and scoring freely, while already lifting the Spanish Super Cup this season. Hansi Flick’s side boast pace, youth and confidence, with Lamine Yamal emerging as a key threat.

Yet football history repeatedly shows that form matters less when players like Lookman take control of decisive moments.

The plan for Atletico is simply to stay compact, absorb pressure, and unleash their Nigerian star in transition.

If the pattern holds true, Barcelona may soon discover, just as Europe already has, that Ademola Lookman thrives when giants come calling.