Atalanta and Nigerian national team forward Ademola Lookman recently spoke to L’Equipe about the immense role his mother played in shaping him into the footballer he is today.
2024 has so far, been a remarkable year for Lookman, who helped the Super Eagles to a runners-up finish at the Africa Cup of Nations and spearheading Atalanta’s charge to Europa League glory, even scoring a hat-trick in the final.
His impressive performances during the 2023-2024 season earned him a place on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, also making him the clear favourite to win the Africa Men’s Footballer of the year award.
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Lookman ha now attributed his rise to football stardom to his mother support.
Lookman heaps praise on his mother
In a recent interview with L’Equippe, the former Everton man reflected on life growing up with his mother and how she has been a support system, calling her his ‘super woman.’
He said, as quoted by Olt Sports,
“I lived with my mom and my sister. Growing up with them allowed me to understand women. My dad and my other sister were in Nigeria, in Lagos.
”My mother did everything to not let it affect me. I was the only boy, my family showed me a lot of love, always supported and protected. As a child, if you don’t have a father around or a mother, it’s complicated. My mother created the best possible environment for my sister and me. Then my sister went to university. Mom was great.
”She played a lot of different roles. I always called her Superwoman because she is an incredible woman. I will always be indebted to her.”
Meanwhile, the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony taking place on the 28th of October, and Lookman will hope his performance earns him a top-10 finish, and perhaps, surpass Victor Osimhen’s eighth-place finish.