Ademola Lookman couldn’t help reminiscing on Monday night. Crowned best male player at the Confederation of African Football’s award ceremony in Marrakech, thanks in large part to his stunning hat-trick for Atalanta in May’s Europa League final, the Nigeria forward’s acceptance speech referred to one of the lowest moments of his career.
It came while Lookman was on a season-long loan at Fulham from RB Leipzig in November 2020 and during injury time of a televised Premier League game against West Ham at the London Stadium. Trailing to a late goal from Tomas Soucek, the visitors were awarded a penalty in the final seconds and Lookman stepped up to take it – only to see his weak Panenka chip loop straight into the arms of Lukasz Fabianski. “I couldn’t even describe the devastation,” Lookman told the Guardian in an interview a few months later.
Having finally found a home in northern Italy after moving to Atalanta on a permanent deal from Leipzig in August 2022, Lookman could afford to reflect on how things have changed for him after collecting his award wearing a specially designed agbada – the traditional robe worn by Yoruba men. “To be recognised as the best player in Africa is something incredible,” he said. “Just over four years ago, I failed in front of the world and fast-forward four years, I’m the best player in Africa.
“I want to say to the young children and people watching this: don’t let your failures weigh you down so they break your wings. But turn your pain into your power and continue to fly.”
While there was disappointment for the Moroccan crowd in their home favourite Achraf Hakimi finishing as runner-up, with many having left their seats at the Palais des Congrès within seconds of the announcement, there is no doubt that Lookman is a deserving winner. He has excelled for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side for the past year, following up his exploits in the Europa League final by scoring eight goals and providing three assists in this Serie A season, as well as three goals in the Champions League, including a brilliant strike against Real Madrid this month.
It has certainly been some journey for the 27-year-old, who was the first member of his family to be born in the UK. Living with his mother in Peckham, south London, while his father remained in Nigeria, Lookman remembered how she always made him feel “supported and protected”. “She played a lot of different roles,” he told L’Équipe in October. “I always called her superwoman because she is an incredible woman. I will always be indebted to her.”
Having honed his skills playing in cages on the estate where he grew up, Lookman was ignored by all London’s professional clubs until the age of 16, leading to him turning out for Sunday League side Waterloo FC when he was snapped up by Charlton’s academy. Despite earning big moves to Everton and then Leipzig, it was not until he was brought to Bergamo by Gasperini that he blossomed.
Atalanta’s veteran coach last month described Lookman as “among the top players in Europe”, with 14th place in the Ballon d’Or – one ahead of Spain’s Nico Williams – further confirmation of his standing. “Many new players have arrived and are improving, but it was last season’s success, driven by players like Lookman, that set the tone,” Gasperini said.
Lookman attended the CAF ceremony in Marrakech with his parents and other members of his family, but it was his outfit that really caught the eye. Designed by Deji & Kola – a fashion label based in Lagos – it was the culmination of months of work that included a special request from Lookman to change the colour to the dark green of the Super Eagles.
“He wanted to wear something very unique for the awards and we thought it would be good for him to show off some African attire because he is an inspiration to the continent,” said Kolapo Olabintan, the chief executive of Deji & Kola. “The best way you can present yourself to the global audience is to represent your roots so that was the idea behind the outfit.
“The mid-layer is leather that we worked with on a laser-cutting machine to make the football pattern. It’s something that links the whole football idea together in one outfit. The agbada is the traditional outfit of the Yoruba people in Nigeria but over the years it has expanded into other parts of the county and beyond, who have started to incorporate it into their outfits. It’s moving very fast.”
In another nod to his homeland, Lookman said a few words in Yoruba after accepting his award from the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino. “He was speaking to the people of his roots and telling them that once they put in the work, then you can get anywhere,” said Olabintan. “He has always been humble and recognised that you can’t get anywhere without the love and support of other people. That has played a major role in him being named as Africa’s best player.”
