"We've never had players like him" - Simeone hails Ademola Lookman
Diego Simeone has delivered glowing praise for Ademola Lookman, describing the forward as a player unlike any he has coached at Atlético Madrid. The comments came after Lookman’s decisive contribution in the club’s dramatic progression in the UEFA Champions League.
Lookman delivers on the big stage
Despite a 2-1 defeat on the night to Barcelona, Atlético secured a 3-2 aggregate victory to book their place in the semi-finals. Barcelona had overturned Atlético’s first-leg advantage early, with goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres putting the hosts in control.
But Lookman stepped up at a crucial moment, scoring in the 31st minute to swing the tie back in Atlético’s favour and ultimately prove decisive.
“We never had players like him” — Simeone
Speaking after the match, Simeone didn’t hold back in his assessment of the Nigerian forward: “Since I’ve been in the club, we never had players like that with those features.”
The Atlético boss highlighted Lookman’s rare attacking profile, particularly his directness and ability to influence games individually. “He’s brilliant offensively. He’s very courageous. He’s very good one-on-one.”
A new dimension to Atlético’s attack
Simeone also pointed to Lookman’s tactical importance, especially in transition and high-intensity moments. According to the Argentine, the forward’s pace and energy have added a new edge to Atlético’s attacking play, something the team has lacked in previous seasons.
“His offensive importance, giving pace to the team when he was on the ball, was key.” Since arriving in January, Lookman has already scored six goals, quickly establishing himself as a central figure in Atlético’s frontline.
Still room to grow
Despite the praise, Simeone made it clear that Lookman’s development is far from complete. “We need more from him. He has more in his tank. We’ve seen it in Nigeria.” It’s a statement that reflects both belief and expectation. Lookman is already delivering, but there’s a sense that his ceiling is even higher.
For Atlético, the result keeps their Champions League ambitions alive. For Ademola Lookman, it marks another step in his rise at the elite level, now firmly established as a difference-maker in one of Europe’s biggest teams.
And if Diego Simeone is right, Atlético may be witnessing something they’ve never quite had before.
SportsLigue
