Ibrahim Sulemana’s season at Atalanta began in the shadows but ended under the spotlight.
After months of uncertainty, injury setbacks, and limited opportunities, the Ghanaian midfielder has burst into form, delivering two crucial goals that helped secure Champions League football for the Italian side.
The 21-year-old endured a difficult start to the 2024–25 campaign.
Largely overlooked in Gian Piero Gasperini’s plans, Sulemana spent most of the season either recovering from injury, omitted from matchday squads, or confined to the bench.
Until recently, he had started just one league match, casting doubt over his future in Bergamo.
But that narrative shifted dramatically in the final weeks of the season.
On matchday 36 against AS Roma, Sulemana was introduced just after the hour mark in a tightly contested encounter.
Within eight minutes, he etched his name onto the scoresheet with a well-taken strike, giving Atalanta a 2–1 lead—his first goal for the club.
That goal not only secured the victory but also guaranteed Atalanta’s return to the Champions League next season, turning a personal milestone into a historic moment for the club.
“That goal changed everything for me,” Sulemana said afterwards. “It was a moment I’d been waiting for all season. I just needed the chance.”
Gasperini took notice. For the next league fixture on Saturday, 17 May, Sulemana was handed a rare start against Genoa.
Once again, the Ghanaian delivered, scoring his second goal in as many games to help Atalanta to a 3–2 win.
It was a powerful statement from a player who had only managed nine league appearances all season—just two of them as a starter.
Despite his limited involvement, Sulemana’s impact in these final matches has been profound.
With composure in midfield, strong recovery play, and now a sudden scoring instinct, he has made a compelling case for a larger role next season.
What once looked like a wasted year has transformed into a springboard.
Sulemana’s resurgence has not only lifted Atalanta at a crucial time but also reignited his own career trajectory.
As the club prepares for another Champions League campaign, the young Ghanaian may yet prove to be one of their most unexpected assets.
From the fringes to the forefront, Ibrahim Sulemana has shown what patience, perseverance, and the right moment can achieve.
