Lookman Benched in Atleti’s Big Games: Super Eagles Spark at Risk

Ademola Lookman’s first full season at Atlético Madrid has turned into a test of patience. The Nigerian forward, who arrived from Atalanta in February 2026 and immediately lit up the second half of last campaign, now finds himself watching key matches from the sidelines as Diego Simeone prioritizes other options in La Liga and the Champions League.

Last season Lookman delivered nine goals and four assists in 24 appearances. He scored important goals, including in the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad and a decisive strike that helped Atleti past Barcelona in the Champions League.

That form justified the roughly €35 million outlay and raised expectations for a star role in 2026/27.

The reality has been different. Across roughly 13-15 appearances and around 700 minutes this season, Lookman has managed just two goals and one assist. His sole La Liga goal came in August against Sevilla.

He ended a longer drought by scoring as a substitute against Manchester United in the Champions League and provided an assist in the draw with Stuttgart. Beyond those moments, impact has been limited.

He has been substituted at half-time in several league games for lack of influence and has often been used as a late option in Europe.

The pattern is clearest in the biggest fixtures. Lookman was introduced in the second half of the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich and struggled, drawing criticism for limited involvement and a lack of successful dribbles.

For the high-stakes La Liga clash with Barcelona at the Metropolitano, Simeone left him on the bench, preferring other attacking combinations. Those absences from the starting XI in matches that define seasons have become a recurring theme.

Simeone has publicly backed his player. The coach has urged Lookman not to get frustrated, pointing to similar early struggles for Julián Álvarez and Antoine Griezmann in previous campaigns and stressing the forward’s value in one-on-one situations in the final third.

Club staff have also worked to rebuild confidence after a difficult spell. Yet the minutes remain restricted while Atleti sit near the top of La Liga and navigate the Champions League group stage.

The timing creates a clear problem for the Super Eagles. Nigeria head coach Éric Chelle has included Lookman in the squad for the critical 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania. With other attacking options limited by injury or form, the Atlético forward is expected to carry significant responsibility.

A player arriving with reduced match sharpness and recent confidence issues risks underperforming on the international stage, where rhythm and decision-making under pressure matter most.

Lookman’s ability to stretch defences, combine in tight spaces and finish chances remains clear on his best days.

The question is whether he can force his way back into Simeone’s plans consistently enough to regain that level before the next international window. For Atlético, a return to form would strengthen an already competitive attack.

For Nigeria, it could determine how effectively the Super Eagles progress in their qualifying campaign.

Atleti’s big-game selections have left Lookman on the outside looking in.

The coming weeks will show whether the Nigerian can turn limited opportunities into the kind of performances that once made him indispensable in Madrid—and whether that revival arrives in time for the national team.

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