Former Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has lifted the lid on why Ademola Lookman chose to represent Nigeria, revealing that the Atletico Madrid attacker initially held out hope for an England call-up. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Lookman was eligible to play for both nations and represented England at U-19, U-20, and U-21 levels.
He was part of the squad that won the 2017 U-20 World Cup, scoring three goals during the tournament, but he was repeatedly overlooked by the senior Three Lions side.
“After winning the Under-20 World Cup in 2017 and reaching the Under-21s, England stopped calling him up,” Peseiro told Marca.
“He didn’t understand it; he thought he had a future there, but he had to accept it. Since his parents were Nigerian, he accepted the call a few months before I arrived.”
Lookman made his Nigeria debut in March 2022 and, after a slow start, began asserting himself at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, his first major international tournament for the Super Eagles.
Peseiro, who was appointed coach shortly after Lookman’s switch, recognised the forward’s potential and worked to make him a key player.
“Although he had made his debut, he didn’t always play. I saw his potential, made him a consistent starter, and he exploded,” he said.
Under Peseiro, Lookman contributed significantly to Nigeria’s run to the Africa Cup of Nations final and shone at club level, notably at Atalanta, where he scored three goals in their Europa League campaign.
Over the past three years, Lookman has become one of Africa’s standout performers, recording 11 goals and nine assists in 41 appearances for the Super Eagles. He even won the CAF Player of the Year award two years ago.
Now at Atletico Madrid, Lookman aims to continue his upward trajectory and prove that Nigeria made the right call in securing his services when England let him slip through the cracks.
