Super Eagles attacker Ademola Lookman was at the centre of attention on Wednesday night as a tense moment unfolded between him and Atalanta manager Ivan Jurić, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian forward, who started the game against Olympique Marseille, appeared visibly frustrated after being substituted in the second half for Yunus Musah, which prompted a brief but heated exchange with the coach on the touchline.
The incident, captured on camera, quickly spread across social media, with a section of the Nigerian football community questioning Jurić’s attitude towards the 2024 CAF Player of the Year following the Nigerian international's summer exit saga.
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The Nigerian football faithful are also expressing concern over Lookman’s treatment at the club.
What happened between Lookman and Jurić
In the 72nd minute, with Atalanta still searching for a breakthrough, Jurić decided to replace Ademola Lookman with Yunus Musah.
The move appeared to frustrate the Super Eagles star, who had been one of Atalanta’s most lively attackers on the night.
As he walked off, Jurić approached and seemed to have pushed him on the sideline. Lookman’s brief response and body language, however, suggested clear displeasure.
Watch the heated exchange between Lookman and Juric:
Clima sereno na Atalanta: Juric, conhecido por ser um brigão, discutiu forte com Lookman à beira do gramado. pic.twitter.com/w46tgDucYt
— Calciopédia (@calciopedia) November 5, 2025
Marseille vs Atalanta: Match highlight
Atalanta eventually claimed all three points thanks to a dramatic late goal from Lazar Samardzic, whose stunning strike in stoppage time sealed a 1-0 victory at the Stade Vélodrome.
Earlier, Charles De Ketelaere missed a first-half penalty after Gerónimo Rulli fouled Nikola Krstović. And in the second half, Lookman's 68th-minute goal was flagged for offside after a VAR review.
Marseille dominated possession in the second half and had strong appeals for a handball penalty waved away before being punished on the counterattack.
The result leaves Atalanta on seven points from four matches in their European group, while Marseille remain on three, facing an uphill battle to qualify.
Is it time for Lookman to leave Atalanta?
The forward has been instrumental since joining Atalanta, scoring 53 goals and providing 25 assists for the club.
Meanwhile, Lookman’s relationship with the Atalanta hierarchy reportedly soured during the 2025 summer transfer window after the club blocked several moves away from Bergamo.
Despite strong interest from multiple European sides, Atalanta insisted on keeping him at the Gewiss Stadium, leaving the player frustrated.
The Nigerian later took to social media to express his disappointment, shedding light on how he has been treated by the club—an issue that began under former coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who once publicly criticised him for missing a penalty.
Now, it appears that Jurić has picked up where Gasperini left off, following the latest public touchline exchange with the Nigerian forward.
Many believe that, for the sake of his mental well-being and professional growth, the Super Eagle should consider an exit from Bergamo once the January transfer window opens.
