Ademola Lookman has opened up about his growing connection with Nigeria after making the switch from representing England at the youth level to playing for the Super Eagles.
The Atalanta star spoke about how he is gradually coming to understand what it means to play for Nigeria.
Lookman, who featured for England at various youth levels, including the U19s and U21s, made his debut for the Super Eagles on March 25, 2022.
His first game saw Nigeria battle to a goalless draw with Ghana in a crucial third-round tie of the African qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Ademola Lookman embraces his Super Eagles journey: connecting with Nigeria
Since that debut, the forward has accumulated 26 caps for Nigeria, netting eight goals. Three of those goals came during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Ivory Coast.
Lookman’s outstanding performances for both club and country recently earned him a place on the Ballon d’Or shortlist.
The 26-year-old winger, who has excelled for Nigeria and Atalanta, is also regarded as one of the frontrunners for the African Footballer of the Year award. Reflecting on his commitment to Nigeria, Lookman revealed in a recent interview that choosing to represent the Super Eagles was a decision of the heart.
“I have learnt to understand it over time.
“Even though I played for England in the youth teams, winning the U-20 World Cup in 2017, I decided with my heart to play for the Super Eagles because I have a close and personal connection with this country,” he said.
In recent 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Lookman’s contributions have been critical. He scored twice in Nigeria’s dominant 3-0 victory over Benin Republic.
He was also instrumental in matches against Rwanda and Libya, though two of his goals were controversially ruled out for offside.