The “African King” has officially landed in the Spanish capital, and it took him less than 40 minutes to leave an indelible mark on the Wanda Metropolitano.
Nigerian international Ademola Lookman celebrated his high-stakes €40 million move from Atalanta with a goal and an assist on his full debut, leading Atletico Madrid to a dominant 5-0 victory over Real Betis in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on February 5, 2026.
Starting under the lights at Seville’s La Cartuja, Lookman quickly settled into Diego Simeone’s tactical setup.
After early strikes from Dávid Hancko and Giuliano Simeone put the Rojiblancos in control, Lookman showcased his world-class finishing in the 37th minute.
Latching onto a line-breaking pass, he danced past two defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the far corner for his 100th professional goal.
He continued his masterclass in the second half, turning provider in the 62nd minute with a precise cross for Antoine Griezmann to net the fourth.
This explosive start in Spain is a direct extension of Lookman’s historic display at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he was arguably the tournament’s most lethal player.
The 28-year-old winger concluded the competition with a staggering 7 goal contributions (4 goals and 4 assists) in just six matches, leading the Super Eagles to the final and earning the official Best Playmaker award.
His ability to decide matches on the biggest stage has cemented his status as the frontrunner for the 2025 African Player of the Year crown.
However, the road to Madrid was paved with significant friction. Before his deadline-day exit, Lookman’s relationship with Atalanta had reached a “point of no return”.
Despite his heroics in their 2024 Europa League triumph, the player faced months of frustration as the Italian club reportedly blocked lucrative moves to PSG and Inter Milan, leading to accusations of “broken promises”.
The standoff saw Lookman briefly boycott training in protest, eventually forcing a move to a “top European club” outside of Italy as previously agreed.
Now liberated from the Bergamo deadlock, Lookman appears revitalised.
His debut performance makes him the first Atletico player in over a decade to record both a goal and an assist on their starting debut, signalling a new chapter of dominance for Nigeria’s finest export.
