I stand to be corrected, since breaking into the Atalanta side, Ademola Lookman has rarely been out of form. But, this season has been strangely different.
Two goals and one assist in 12 games is not the return anyone expected from the same forward who tormented defenders across Europe few years back.
However, on Wednesday night in Frankfurt, the Nigerian International finally looked like himself again.
His performance delivered a sense of déjà vu. It took me back to his unforgettable hat-trick in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final, where he singlehandedly crushed Bayer Leverkusen and delivered Atalanta’s first European title.
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Against Eintracht Frankfurt, he channelled the same energy by opening the scoring with a composed volley and later set up Éderson during a five-minute blitz that sealed a crucial Champions League victory.
The win pushes La Dea into 10th place in the UEFA Champions League standings, sitting on ten points after five matches, and Lookman’s fingerprints were all over the their resurgence after two crucial losses in the Serie A.
A Troubled Start That Makes This Comeback More Significant
Lookman’s subdued start to the season did not just happen. His transfer exit saga, with strong interest from foreign clubs and tensions around his desire to leave Bergamo, disrupted his form.
The issue reportedly strained his relationship with former coaches Gian Piero Gasperini and Ivan Jurić, and must have created a mental burden that clearly affected him on the pitch.
His form dipped in Italy and followed him to the national team. The last time Lookman registered a direct contribution for Nigeria was an assist against Rwanda on March 21, 2025, during the World Cup qualifiers.
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Since then, he has struggled to impose himself in the green and white jersey.
These factors combined to create a version of Lookman that felt unlike the electric winger Nigerians was used to.
#SGEAtalanta #UCL #GoAtalantaGo ⚫ pic.twitter.com/5Zp273wSpH
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) November 26, 2025
What Ademola Lookman's Return Means for Super Eagles' AFCON 2025 Ambitions
Wednesday night hinted at something different. I saw free, and expressive Lookman.
With new Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino encouraging open, attacking football, the Nigerian is operating in a system that suits him.
More importantly, the former Everton talent appears mentally clearer, which leaves the summer drama behind him.
And in Nigeria’s football community, many believe a fully fit and fully confident Lookman is essential to the Super Eagles' ambitions at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria needs players who can create chances, carry the team in tough situations, and produce big-game moments. Lookman is one of the few in the squad that can do all three.
If this Frankfurt performance is the real turning point for the forward, if Lookman is truly back, then Nigeria’s attacking options suddenly look far more dangerous heading into AFCON.
