Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Olajade Lookman, set a new record in the UEFA Champions League when his side were knocked out of the tournament on Tuesday, 9JaUpDate247 reports.
The 27-year-old missed the first leg of the tie due to a knee injury and could only make play the second half of the home leg at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.
La Dea got knocked out after losing the tie on an aggregate score of 5-2, but Lookman’s new record went under the radar as several things unfolded after the game.
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The former Fulham striker scored off the bench to pull one back for Gasperini’s side after a horrendous 3-0 halftime score. It took the Super Eagles star just 34 seconds on the field to find the net.
The goal was the fastest-ever to be scored by a second-half substitute in the history of the UEFA Champions League.
However, the night was sour for the best African player after he saw his spot kick saved from twelve yards by Liverpool’s former goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet.
After the game, Atalanta head coach, Giant Piero Gasperini labelled Lookman as the worst penalty taker he’s ever seen, having initially placed the Nigerian as the third-choice spot-kick taker in the team, behind Charles De Ketelaere and Mateo Retegui.
Gasperini’s harsh words saw Lookman publish a response on social media, hitting back at his coach and explaining it was unfair to be singled out for the blame of the defeat that fell on the shoulders of the whole team.
pic.twitter.com/Ekv2bp7pwV
— Ademola Lookman (@Alookman_) February 19, 2025
It is now highly anticipated that the former Everton winger will leave the 2024 UEFA Europa League winners in the summer as his contract runs out in the summer of 2026.
