Champions League top 50 dribblers: Nigerian forward joins AC Milan’s Leão, Barcelona’s Yamal

Ademola Lookman’s impressive season in Europe has been underlined by his inclusion in the top 50 dribblers of the UEFA Champions League, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Atalanta and Nigeria forward has been one of the standout performers in the competition, showing his flair and skill on the ball.

According to a report by Euro Football Rumours, Lookman completed 15 successful dribbles in the Champions League, ranking him 35th on the top 50 list.

That tally puts him ahead of notable names such as Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Jurriën Timber (both 14), as well as Barcelona’s Pedri and Paris Saint-Germain’s João Neves.

The top spot belongs to AC Milan’s Rafael Leão, who leads the rankings with 39 dribbles, followed by Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal (33). PSG’s Bradley Barcola (28) and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers (also 28) complete the top four.

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• Nigeria and Atalanta’s Lookman beats Inter Milan, Lazio, Como, and AS Roma stars to Serie A’s top rating

Several players of Nigerian descent also feature on the list, with Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala ranking 10th with 23 dribbles.

France international Michael Olise (22 dribbles) is 13th, while Girona’s Lagos-born forward Arnaut Danjuma (14 dribbles) shares 37th position with Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi.

Lookman, the only Super Eagles player on the list, has not only dazzled with his dribbling ability but has also been a lethal presence in front of goal.

The former Everton and RB Leipzig winger has racked up 18 goals and seven assists in 33 appearances across all competitions. In the Champions League, he contributed five goals and two assists in just seven matches.

Despite Lookman’s contributions, Atalanta failed to progress beyond the knockout rounds, suffering surprising home and away defeats to Belgian champions Club Brugge.

However, his performances have not gone unnoticed, with several European clubs now keeping a close eye on the Nigerian forward.

Premier League return on the cards for the Nigerian?

Lookman has reportedly informed Atalanta of his intention to leave at the end of the season, submitting a formal transfer request.

The 27-year-old is keen on a return to the Premier League, where he previously played for Everton, Leicester City, and Fulham.

Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Juventus have all monitored his progress this season, with Newcastle and Manchester United already holding preliminary talks with Atalanta. The Italian club has set a £50 million asking price for the winger.

Lookman’s stock has risen significantly since his move to Italy, where Atalanta initially signed him from RB Leipzig for just €9 million three years ago.

His market value has now surged to €60 million, according to Transfermarkt, making him the second most valuable Nigerian footballer behind only Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen (€70 million).

With Lookman entering his prime years and top clubs circling, this summer could mark a defining moment in his career.

Whether he makes a long-awaited return to the Premier League or takes on a fresh challenge elsewhere in Europe, the Super Eagles star has firmly established himself as one of the most exciting attacking talents in the game.