Former England international striker Peter Crouch says the hero for Atalanta in their 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the final of the Europa League would have played for England if he was patient, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Lookman stole the headline yesterday by hitting a hattrick for the Italian side ending the unbeaten run of the Germans in all competitions this season. The 26 year old struck in the 12th, 26th and 75th minute of the game in Dublin.
Born in England to parents of Nigerian descent, he represented England at various youth levels and even won the U20 World Cup with their U20 team, but in 2021 he decided to switch his nationality to the senior national team of Nigeria.
He was the star of the team at the AFCON scoring three goals and one assists as the Super Eagles went all the way to the final before losing 1-2 to the host Cote d’Ivoire in the final. Crouch says he could easily have played for England if he was patient.
“Honestly, this is why you play football,” Crouch said while on analysis duty with TNT . “Somebody like Lookman, who’s been around, a footballing nomad at times, somebody who’s been Sunday League, to Charlton, to Fulham on loan, Leicester, Leipzig, he’s gone around the houses to get to the moment where he’s found a home today and scored a hat-trick in a European final. It’s an amazing story. He could easily have played for England like his U20 mates if he was patient.
“Those fans will never forget the name of Ademola Lookman. It’s absolutely sensational.
Ade Emmanuel
