Europa League FalI-Out: I’ve always had confidence in my ability, says Lookman

Ademola Lookman with family and friends celebrating Atalanta’s Europa Cup win in Dublin…on Wednesday.

Rave of the moment, Super Eagles and Atalanta FC striker, Ademola Lookman, has described his performance at the Europa Cup final against Bayer Leverkusen as normal, saying he has always had confidence in his ability to deliver on the big stage.

Lookman was the hero on Wednesday night as his historic hat trick earned Atalanta its first title since 1963.

The Nigerian struck twice in the first half and added the third goal in the second half for the Italian side, to end Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-match unbeaten run in the final of the UEFA Europa Cup.

The former Everton star, who played a vital role in the Super Eagles’ second-placefinish at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, scooped three awards on the night, winning the match ball for his hat trick, Player of the Match and the Europa Cup title.

Lookman is the first player to score a hat trick in a European Cup final since 1975. The last was by Jupp Heynkes, who scored a hat trick for Borussia Monchengladbach way back in the 1975 UEFA Cup final.

“In the past two years, I have been able to take my game to a new level and show it on a more consistent basis,” an excited Lookman said.

“Maybe, it could have come earlier but it’s come now. I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made but this is just the beginning. I hope for more nights like this,” he said.

The London-born player was signed from German side, RB Leipzig, in 2022 and was the centre of all attention on Wednesday night at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. It is Atalanta first European final.

Italy has become a new training ground for Nigerian heroes, with Lookman’s heroics coming a year after Victor Osimhen hugged the headlines as Napoli