A Harsh Childhood for Atalanta’s Achievement Maker.. Lookman Searched for Food in His Friends’ Refrigerators

Ademola Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman grabbed the spotlight after scoring a hat-trick that led Atalanta to their first-ever UEFA Europa League title, ending Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak.

The Nigerian was born in Wandsworth, England, in 1997, but he was “reborn” in the final on Wednesday, thanks to the three goals that shattered the streak of Bayer Leverkusen’s coach Xabi Alonso.

Lookman has scored 9 goals in 29 Serie A matches this season and has become an inspiration for children in Bergamo. He was an international player at the under-19, under-20, and under-21 levels with England, winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup with the team in 2017. However, tired of waiting for a call-up to the senior “Three Lions” team, he decided to represent his native Nigeria. He has 21 international caps and 6 goals for Nigeria. Commenting on his decision before his debut in March 2022, he said: “My parents are Nigerian, and I went there several times as a child, but it was a difficult decision.”

As a professional, Lookman scored on his debut for Everton in the English Premier League and also in his first Bundesliga match for RB Leipzig. He joined Atalanta in the summer of 2022 for €9 million, scoring 5 goals in 11 Europa League matches.

Interestingly, in England, he scored 11 goals over five seasons in the league, while he netted 22 goals in Serie A in his first two seasons.

Ademola Lookman’s journey wasn’t smooth when he was a child. He said: “My mother worked unstable jobs, and we lived in difficult circumstances in England. It was so tough that the refrigerator was completely empty. I used to go eat at my friends’ houses. But my mother taught me the meaning of sacrifice. I am very grateful to her; she never complained or showed any sign of weakness.”

The hero of the Europa League evening, after his first career hat-trick, said to Italy’s “Sky Sports”: “I am extremely happy. We made history, and the trophy will return with us to Bergamo. We had an outstanding season.”