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Former Nigeria national team coach José Peseiro has revealed that forward Ademola Lookman felt overlooked by England before deciding to represent Nigeria at the senior level.
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Lookman featured for England’s youth teams, including the U19, U20, and U21 squads, but was never called up to the senior team despite his promising performances. FIFA cleared him in February 2022 to switch allegiance to Nigeria, a move that reignited his international career with the Super Eagles.
Speaking to Marca about Lookman’s recent move to Atlético Madrid, Peseiro said the forward saw the transfer as a major career milestone and a chance to prove England wrong for not selecting him for the senior team. “For Lookman, it’s a challenge, and it’s a big moment in his career because now he’s reached one of the top clubs in Europe… and he can keep showing England that they made a mistake by not picking him for the senior team,” Peseiro explained.
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The former coach also highlighted Lookman’s confusion and disappointment after his steady rise through England’s youth teams did not translate into a senior call-up. “He was still quite young, but he frequently told me about how sad he felt. After winning the Under-20 World Cup in 2017 and moving up to the Under-21 team, England stopped inviting him to join the squad. He couldn’t understand it. He thought he could have a future there, but in the end, he had to accept the situation,” Peseiro said.
Choosing to represent Nigeria, Lookman has made an immediate impact on the national team. In 13 appearances, he has contributed to 11 goals, scoring six himself and assisting five, underlining his value to the Super Eagles.
Lookman’s club career has also seen notable achievements. He recently became the first English-born player to compete in the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, and La Liga, highlighting his versatility and international experience.
Peseiro’s comments shed light on Lookman’s personal journey, emphasizing both the emotional challenges and professional milestones that influenced his decision to commit to Nigeria, where he continues to thrive on the international stage.
