Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medalist Emmanuel Babayaro has spoken about his admiration for Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman, highlighting that his respect goes far beyond the forward's performances on the pitch.
Off the pitch, Lookman's attitude, discipline and professionalism have drawn praise from many who know him.
His calm demeanour, respectful interactions with teammates and ability to handle pressure mark him as a player with maturity.
The Atlético Madrid dazzler is cementing his reputation as one of Nigeria's greatest forwards in history, having won the African Footballer of the Year award for 2024 and played pivotal roles as the Super Eagles secured silver and bronze medals at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Babayaro emphasised the role of Lookman’s upbringing in shaping his character.
Speaking on ATHLST podcast, Babayaro stated: "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. They say charity begins at home.
"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.
Things have not always been rosy for Lookman as he struggled during his time with Premier League side Everton, scoring just four goals in 48 appearances, and was later sent on loan to RB Leipzig in search of more playing opportunities.
Babayaro suggested that Lookman's style of play may have made it harder for him to thrive in England.
"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?
"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 has maintained a spotless disciplinary record throughout his professional career, playing 345 matches for Charlton Athletic, Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham, Leicester City, Atalanta and Atlético Madrid without ever being sent off.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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