Former Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Babayaro has expressed admiration for Ademola Lookman, saying his respect for the Nigerian forward goes beyond what he does on the pitch.
Speaking on the ATHLST podcast, Babayaro said Lookman’s discipline, attitude and professionalism are clear signs of the way he was raised, and he credited the player’s parents for shaping his character.
“Ademola Lookman is one young man I honestly admire. And it’s not just about his playing; it’s about his comportment, and all these things sum up to one thing for me,” Babayaro said.
He added that the Atletico Madrid forward’s upbringing deserves recognition.
“I want to use this opportunity to say thank you to the parents of Ademola Lookman because they did a great job with that young man. The Yoruba people are well known for respect and ethics, and his parents did a great job raising him.”
Babayaro also reflected on Lookman’s difficult spell in England, where the forward struggled to establish himself during his time at Everton before reviving his career elsewhere in Europe.
“When you consider how he did not perform in England and then went on to work wonders in other parts of the world, do you think his style of play was probably part of the reason why he never really fitted in the United Kingdom?” he said.
According to Babayaro, Lookman’s natural style of football may not have suited the intensity of the Premier League.
“Lookman likes to play with ease and style. He likes to play without too much pressure. He has that creativity, give him the ball and he’s able to do things, but in England you have microseconds before something happens. A lot of times, the pressure is on you to release the ball.”
Lookman’s career eventually flourished after leaving England. The Nigerian international rebuilt his reputation in Europe and has since become one of the country’s most influential attackers, earning recognition for his performances at club and international level.
