By Nurudeen Obalola
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is relishing the chance to test his skills against UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid in a league phase clash in Bergamo on Tuesday night.
Lookman is Atalanta’s star man and a lot of attention will be on the Nigeria international when the Serie A leaders host the European giants tonight.
The 27-year-old CAF Awards African Player of the Year favourite is up for the challenge.
“We look forward to it. We’re ready,” Lookman said during the pre-match press conference.
When asked to rate Real Madrid key man Vinicius Jr, Lookman replied with admiration: “Vinicius? He’s shown many times, he’s a top player who plays in another dimension.”
Lookman has registered an impressive 10 goals and five assists in 17 appearances in all competitions for Atalanta this season, including the winner in the 2-1 Serie A victory over AC Milan on Friday.
He was named man of the match after another brilliant performance, and he hopes he and his teammates will carry on like that.
“We have to continue playing like this, and thinking one game at a time,” he said. “We believe in our work, and it’s right that the fans dream. We have to keep working.”
Lookman, who clocked 27 in October, is one of five nominees for the African Player of the Year prize, with the CAF Awards scheduled for Marrakech, Morocco next Monday.
The forward, who finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or and was the only African in the top 30, is the clear favourite to succeed his Super Eagles teammate Victor Osimhen in the CAF Awards.
“It’s an honour to be nominated for this prestigious award,” Lookman told Sky Sport. “Of course, anyone who’s nominated would like to win it. It’s a dream.”
