Atalanta attempted damage control on 6 February 2026, but the response did not generate the numbers the club may have expected.
Softfootball gathered, the situation unfolded on a night when multiple cup competitions were ongoing. While Atlético Madrid were in action in the Copa del Rey and Atalanta were playing in the Coppa Italia, the Italian side showcased their new signing, Ghanaian winger Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Kamaldeen Sulemana scored the second goal in Atalanta’s 3–0 victory over Juventus, prompting the club to post about him on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption:
KAMALDEENHO IS SHINING 🇬🇭🌟
#AtalantaJuve #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa #GoAtalantaGo ⚫🔵
However, the post failed to gain the viral traction Atalanta likely anticipated. In contrast, Ademola Lookman, now playing for Atlético Madrid, also found the net on the same night. A post celebrating Lookman’s goal reportedly generated over lots of impressions and comments, significantly outperforming Atalanta’s content.
The contrast in engagement has been interpreted by many as a sign that Atalanta may have lost a substantial portion of their Nigerian fanbase. This shift is believed to be linked to Ademola Lookman’s departure from the club and reports surrounding how the Nigerian international was treated during his time at Atalanta.
The numbers suggest that while Atalanta may have hoped to quickly win over fans with a new African star, the emotional connection built with Lookman has not yet been replaced.
