The hat-trick from Ademola Lookman, author of Bergamo’s three goals on Wednesday in Dublin in the Europa League final (3-0) against the ” Invincible “ from Leverkusen, came to crown the meteoric rise of a player who was still young, with a path that had been chaotic until then.
“No one imagined he would make so much progress”conceded Wednesday evening his coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who saw the arrival of the Nigerian international from Leicester in 2022.
“I have always had confidence in my ability to create, to score goals, to help my teammates”replied the 26-year-old left winger, a few minutes after his festival at the Aviva Stadium, the former Lansdowne Road, where he quickly cooled the 12,000 German supporters who came to attend the announced coronation of « Werkself » (the “Factory Eleven”), undefeated this season in 51 games before Wednesday.
This is only the sixth time that a player has scored a hat-trick in a European Cup final. Lookman thus joins the Madrilenians Ferenc Puskás (1960,1962) and Alfredo Di Stéfano (also in 1960), the Milanese Pierino Prati (1969), all triple scorers in a Champions League final, and the German from Mönchengladbach Jupp Heynckes, the only other player to have scored a hat-trick in a C3 final in 1975.
Illustrious predecessors that Lookman intends to equal in the history of football. “Over the last two years I have been able to take my game to a whole new level. Maybe it could have happened sooner, but it’s happening now. But this is only the beginning. I hope to have more nights like this and continue to improve.”he explained, returning to his winding path before his explosion these last two seasons in Bergamo.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, Lookman started professionally at Everton before being loaned to Leipzig, returning to Everton, returning permanently to Leipzig to be loaned to Fulham, then Leicester, never managing to express his potential which had nevertheless made it possible to integrate all the youth selections in England.
Atalanta Bergamo striker Ademola Lookman scores his third goal in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen on May 22, 2024 in Dublin. / Oli SCARFF / AFP
“Over the last two years, the club and the coach have supported me by giving me the playing time and support to play football and show my style of play”Lookman explained. “It took me to a whole new level and I’m grateful to them”.
“Not too prolific in England”
“He wasn’t too prolific in England. I played him in a more offensive role. This season, he had an excellent year, even if he was absent for a very long time because of the CAN. And this evening (Wednesday), he achieved something that will go down in the annals of football history: a superb hat-trick.”rejoiced his coach, a master in the art of restoring luster to players lacking confidence.
The African Cup of Nations, which the Italian technician mentions, is perhaps the start of Lookman’s rise.
Starting six times out of seven with the Super Eagles, which he largely contributed to bringing to the final, lost to Ivory Coast (2-1), the left winger scored three goals, including a double in the 8th against Cameroon, and came close to being awarded the title of best player in the competition, which ultimately went to his teammate and captain, William Troost-Ekong.
Atalanta Bergamo striker Ademola Lookman celebrates his first goal scored in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen on May 22, 2024 in Dublin. / Ben Stansall / AFP
Despite his career in the English youth team, in 2022 he opted for Nigeria, the country of his parents, of which he has nationality, and established himself there to the left of Victor Oshimen, despite the competition raging among the Super Eagles.
“The support and love I receive from my countrymen is incredible. It gives me the motivation to grow in different areas, as a person, not just in my game.”he confided in the bowels of the Aviva Stadium.
Although he had to digest his return from Ivory Coast at the end of January, Lookman, thanks to Atalanta’s European epic, has resumed his superb season.
In the semi-final return against Olympique de Marseille, scorer, decisive passer, he had already been the best Bergamo on the pitch and had put an end to the Olympians’ dreams.
In Dublin, he was responsible for scoring all the goals for his team to defeat Bayer Leverkusen, who were the ultra-favorites of the match. A recital.
