Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has described representing Nigeria at senior level as a lifelong dream, expressing pride in wearing the famous green and white jersey
The Atalanta forward, who is among the nominees for the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, shared his feelings during an interview with BBC Sport. Softfootball understands that Lookman also praised the warm reception he received from his teammates after switching his international allegiance to Nigeria.
The 27-year-old revealed that the welcoming atmosphere within the squad made his transition seamless and strengthened his bond with the team.
When I first joined the Super Eagles, I’m very glad there was a group of people that welcomed me and were very loving to me and took me in as one of their own,
Lookman said.
It’s a dream, and it’s an honour to be here, to be able to wear that badge on my chest.
The former Leicester City winger also reflected on Nigeria’s impressive run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, describing it as a proud achievement for the entire squad.
Lookman further spoke about his growing connection with the team, revealing that he has even started learning Yoruba with the help of some of his teammates, particularly Victor Osimhen.
We are proud as a group of what we achieved at the AFCON. Now, some people speak Yoruba to me. If somebody wants to tell me something, they tell me in Yoruba. Like Victor Osimhen, he would speak to me in Yoruba. But sometimes, if he says something to me in Yoruba, and I can reply in Yoruba, then I say it, he added.
