Nigeria's national football team the Super Eagles have taken to social media to rally support for star forward Ademola Lookman after the attack from his Atalanta boss.
In a powerful display of solidarity, Nigeria's national football team, the Super Eagles, have taken to social media to rally support for star forward Ademola Lookman following the public criticism from his Atalanta coach, Gian Piero Gasperini.
The Super Eagles' support comes after a heated exchange between Lookman and Gasperini in the wake of Atalanta's Champions League exit against Club Brugge.
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Heartbreak Revealed! Gasperini confesses how Lookman's penalty miss shattered Atalanta's spirit
Atalanta's coach Gian Piero Gasperini continues to blow hot after Nigeria's Ademola Lookman and the club's star player missed a crucial penalty against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
The Nigerian team reacted on social media after the war of words between the Nigerian and his coach after the ill-fated Champions League game against Club Brugge.
This show of support follows Lookman's statement addressing Gasperini's comments, where he expressed feeling "deeply disrespectful" after being singled out for blame.
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Lookman said:
“It saddens me on a day like this to have to write a statement like this – most of all because of what we have achieved as a team and as a city. Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful...During the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty, and to support the team I took the responsibility in the moment to do so.”
Lookman's statement also alluded to previous difficulties he faced at the club, stating, "In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here - the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first.”
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The Super Eagles' official X account and numerous Nigerian fans have voiced their support for Lookman, emphasising his contributions to the club.
“We are with you Ade,” the team posted on X (formerly Twitter), before adding a picture highlighting his impressive statistics for the club across all competitions1.
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Lookman has 17 goals and seven assists across competitions this season.
Many others took to the comment section to also urge him to consider his future at Atalanta, given what they perceive as unfair treatment.
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Before the recent penalty miss, Lookman had a strong penalty record, having only missed one penalty in his career and scoring all four he had taken for Atalanta, including one against Como this season.
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but the Super Eagles' public backing sends a clear message of support to Lookman during this challenging time.
Lookman, who plays as a secondary striker for Atalanta, has a contract expiring on June 30, 2026 but could be set to depart the club this summer.