Akor Adams closing in on Lukebakio’s mark as Nigerian star pushes for more Sevilla goals

Super Eagles striker Akor Adams is steadily becoming one of Sevilla’s most important attacking players this season, Soccernet.ng reports.

The former Montpellier star's profile is on the rise as he continues to chase the goal involvement tally set by former teammate Dodi Lukebakio last year.

Adams was on target again last Sunday when Sevilla drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium. The 24-year-old opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a close-range header after a precise cross from veteran defender César Azpilicueta.

The goal was important for two reasons. First, it ended Adams’ five-match league goal drought. Second, it brought his total to seven goals and three assists in 22 La Liga appearances this season.

It also means Adams, with his assist in the Copa del Rey, now has 11 goal involvements across all competitions during the 2025/26 campaign.

That total places him alongside some of La Liga’s notable attacking players this season, including Raphinha, Julián Álvarez, Cucho Hernández, and Arda Güler. It is also more than the numbers recorded so far by forwards like Alexander Sörloth and Vladyslav Vanat.

Last season, Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio finished as Sevilla’s most productive attacker with 13 goal involvements: 11 goals and two assists. Adams is now just two contributions away from matching that figure. Lukebakio joined Portuguese giants Benfica for €20 million in the summer.

Considering that Sevilla still have 11 matches left in the league season, Akor Adams has a strong chance of overtaking that mark.

His progress is even more impressive when his disrupted season is taken into account. Adams missed three matches while representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, and he also sat out two early-season games due to injury.

Despite those setbacks, he has started seven matches already in the second half of the season, showing how important he has become to Sevilla’s attack.

The striker joined the Spanish club from French side Montpellier for about €5 million, in a deal arranged by former sporting director Víctor Orta. Current director of professional football Antonio Cordón strongly backed Adams on the final day of the transfer window.

“He will become one of the best strikers in LaLiga,” Cordón said at the time, adding that “Sevilla’s best signing this season would be Akor Adams.”

So far, the numbers suggest that prediction may be on the right path.

Akor Adams demands higher standards from himself

Even with his growing influence in Sevilla’s attack, Adams has admitted that he is not satisfied with his personal goal return this season.

After the draw against Rayo Vallecano, the striker made it clear that his focus remains on helping the team win games rather than celebrating his own statistics.

“For me, the most important thing is to win with Sevilla. I work hard every day to win matches,” Adams said after the game.

“Scoring goals is my job, but at this stage of the season it doesn’t matter if Kike Salas scores or if Lucien Agoumé scores. In the end we are a team and we need to get points.”

However, Adams admitted he believes he should have done even better in front of goal this season.

“But seven goals… I think I should have scored more. I am grateful to God, but I am not satisfied right now.”

The striker also took responsibility for missed chances in the match against Rayo Vallecano, which Sevilla were unable to turn into a victory.

“I think every point is important at this stage of the season. We work hard to get them,” he said.

“We got a point, but there are many things to work on and improve to reach our goal of three points.

“We are happy to get a point, but not entirely because I also take responsibility. There were many situations that could have put us ahead. We will work on that and be better next time.”

Adams’ form has improved since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, where he helped Nigeria win bronze medal.

Before the tournament, he had managed three goals and one assist in 13 matches. Since returning to Spain, he has scored four goals in eight games, showing clear signs of growing confidence.

With Adams now leading the line and aiming to surpass Lukebakio’s tally, Sevilla will hope the Nigerian forward’s hunger for more goals can drive the team to a strong finish in the final weeks of the La Liga season.

Sevilla currently sit 14th on the Spanish La Liga standings, a mere six points above the relegation zone.