Former Super Eagles coach José Peseiro has opened up about the emotional toll that being ignored by England’s senior team took on Ademola Lookman before he chose to represent Nigeria. In an interview with Marca, Peseiro explained that the Atlético Madrid forward felt a deep sense of sadness and confusion during his years in the England youth setup.
Despite winning the Under-20 World Cup in 2017 and progressing to the Under-21 squad, the call-up to the senior Three Lions never arrived. Peseiro recalled the player frequently sharing how “sad he felt” during this period, as Lookman couldn’t understand why his progress had stalled in the eyes of the English FA.
The former coach believes that Lookman’s eventual decision to play for Nigeria was fueled by a “strong desire to prove himself” and find redemption after that “harsh rejection.” Since switching his allegiance in February 2022, Lookman has become a vital part of the Super Eagles, helping the team secure a bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
He has maintained an impressive record for the national team, contributing to 11 goals in 13 matches, including six goals and five assists. Peseiro noted that Lookman’s current success is a way to “keep showing England that they made a mistake” by not integrating him into their senior plans when they had the chance.
Lookman’s career reached a historic milestone just last weekend following his €40 million move from Atalanta to Atlético Madrid during the January 2026 transfer window.
By making his La Liga debut against Real Betis on February 8, 2026, he became the first English-born player in history to feature in all four of Europe’s top major leagues: the Premier League (Everton, Fulham, Leicester City), the Bundesliga (RB Leipzig), Serie A (Atalanta), and now La Liga.
Although his league debut ended in a 1-0 defeat, he had a spectacular debut for the club just days earlier in the Copa del Rey, scoring a goal and providing an assist in a 5-0 victory. Peseiro emphasized that joining a top-tier club like Atlético is a “big moment” that validates Lookman’s status as one of Europe’s elite forwards.
