“Dream start” – Everything Ademola Lookman said after his brilliant Atletico Madrid debut

Soccer

Super Eagles and Atletico Madrid attacker Ademola Lookman was delighted with his output against Real Betis last night, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old only just joined from Atalanta in a €40m deal, and was thrown into the starting lineup at the Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla.

It was the debut the 2024 CAF Player of the Year hoped for, as he scored in the 37th minute before setting up Antoine Griezmann in the second half as Atletico sealed a 5-0 win over Betis.

Soccer Ademola Lookman on his Atletico Madrid debut against Real Betis
Ademola Lookman on his Atletico Madrid debut against Real Betis. [Photo Credit/ AGT on X].

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The ex-Atalanta forward revealed he’s gotten a warm welcome from everyone around the club so far, and that eased him into his great debut.

“I’m very, very happy, it’s been great coming here, being welcomed by the team and the staff, everyone’s been great with me, so it’s a dream start,” the 2024 UEFA Europa League said in his post-match presser with Sporty TV.

Soccer Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC celebrates with the trophy during the award ceremony following the UEFA Europa League final football match between Atalanta BC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC celebrates with the trophy during the award ceremony following the UEFA Europa League final football match between Atalanta BC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Copyright: xNicolòxCampox

“Obviously, I just try to make the runs, try to be dangerous in the one-v-one situations and moments where I feel there’s something, so it’s just about repetition, to keep doing the same moments and try to be dangerous.

“I’m very happy to be at a special club, and that happiness, the feeling, makes me want to work hard, makes me want to perform.

“That’s what I have to keep doing. Keep working hard, keep staying dedicated, keep on trying to be consistent every single day, and that’s the most important thing.

Soccer Ademola Lookman in action for the Super Eagles of Nigeria
Ademola Lookman. Photo by Segun Ogunfeyitimi Copyright: xshengolpixsximago

Surprisingly, the Colchoneros face the same opponents this weekend in the league, and the ex-RB Leipzig man revealed his team have to do the same as they did last night, and they’d be fine.

“We’ll try to do the same thing because we created a lot of chances today, so we’ll try to hurt them in those moments, but we’ll also stay strong without the ball.

“We were very solid defensively, and we have to keep it going,” Lookman concluded.

Ademola Lookman’s first words after his Atletico Madrid debut on SportyTV @KamoMotecwane

️ “I’m very happy. Everyone has been great with me. It’s a dream start.”

️ “That happiness makes me wanna work hard and perform for this amazing club” pic.twitter.com/LldZHKil4i

— SportyTV (@SportyTV) February 5, 2026

Lookman’s goal against Real Betis was the 100th of his career, a huge milestone for the England-born Nigerian.

Read MoreAdefolahan Guerreiro

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