“Four years ago, I failed in front of the world. Today, I’m the best player in Africa.” – Ademola Lookman 

By JIROLTV Sports spot Commentator Olamide Awoyinfa

Ademola Lookman has transcended from the shadows of doubt to the pinnacle of African football acclaim. Just over four years ago, Lookman faced a public setback that might have broken others, but on Monday, under the glittering lights of the Palais des Congrés in Marrakech, Morocco, he was crowned the African Player of the Year for 2024.

Lookman’s journey is a vivid tale of resilience, shaped by a life that knew no abundance but was rich in determination. Born into a family split across continents, with his father and one sister in Nigeria, and his mother and another sister in London, his early years were defined by the struggle for basic necessities.

His mother gave him his first lessons of endless grit. She worked multiple jobs, from cleaning to serving meals in school canteens, to keep the family afloat.

Despite her efforts, there were days when food was scarce, leading young Ademola to often eat at friends’ houses, avoiding the painful acknowledgment of their home’s emptiness.

“Being from a deprived area, deprived background, that’s always behind you, coming home from football, cause I knew there was no food at home, I’d eat at my friends houses, at that time I wasn’t going to go to mums and ask her mum why is there no food, she was away from home quite a lot doing cleaning jobs being a dinner lady, my dad was working back in Nigeria” Lookman shared in an interview with ‘Life Of a Footballer’.

His elder sister became his guardian in his mother’s absence, allowing him the freedom to chase his passion on the rough pitches of South London. Here, amidst the cages and streets, his love for football became his escape and nurtured the dream of becoming a pro.

Lookman’s talent initially went unrecognised by major clubs, but his life changed dramatically when he was sixteen years old during a friendly match for London Counties against Charlton Academy. His team may have lost the game, but his outstanding performance astonished the Charlton officials, who were left wondering why he remained unsigned. They immediately offered him a scholarship, altering his path, and his mother’s ambitions for his education.

Lookman’s journey with Charlton saw him progress through the ranks, from the U18s to making his professional debut in November 2015.

His talent became more appreciated; in 2017 Everton paid £11 million for his services. Lookman had a memorable debut for Everton, scoring against Manchester City, but his tenure there was brief and tumultuous. Under manager Sam Allardyce, his desire for development clashed with the club’s plans, leading him to RB Leipzig on loan, where he left an immediate impact with a stunning late winner against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The pursuit of continuous playing time led Lookman on a whirlwind of loans, including a return to England with Fulham, when a failed panenka penalty with the final kick of a 1-0 defeat against West Ham highlighted a low moment that was characterised as diabolical at the time.

Scott Parker, his boss at the time, was understandably upset after the match. “I’m disappointed and angry. You can’t take penalties like that, and he knows it. He’s young and learning, but he made a mistake. Ade is the first to recognize that. When you’re young, you need to learn quickly. He’s disappointed, and rightfully so. This is all part of football, of growing both as individuals and as a team. We’ll support him through this.”

Those were his remarks, implying that this was a learning opportunity for progress. He moved on to Leicester City, where he started to regain his rhythm. Each move was another chapter in his journey to find the proper fit, where he could fully flourish.

It was in Atalanta that Lookman, finally, found his rhythm, first on loan. His performances led to a permanent move to Bergamo for €15 million. Here, he finally found a home, becoming the club’s player of the season with 15 goals. His crowning achievement came in May 2024 when he scored a historic hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final, leading Atalanta to a stunning 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, ending their 51-match unbeaten streak. Notably, his 14th place finish in the Ballon D’or ranking solidified his position as one of Africa’s top-ranked players, bolstering his legacy.

On the international scene, Lookman switched allegiances in 2022, from England where he had previously played in youth teams, to represent Nigeria at the senior level. His performance at AFCON 2023 was nothing short of sensational, scoring three goals and cementing his place as one of Nigeria’s important players, even though they did not win the tournament.

In 2024, at the year’s Confederation of African Football Awards, the same Lookman edged out formidable competitors like Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams to claim the prestigious title. This award not only celebrates his individual brilliance but also adds to Nigeria’s tally, making him part of an elite group with seven CAF Player of the Year awards.