Struggling at Atlético Madrid, Nigeria international winger Ademola Lookman has received public backing from his coach Diego Simeone and his dressing room ahead of Sunday’s visit of FC Barcelona to the Metropolitano.
In Madrid, Ademola Lookman’s situation is at the heart of Atlético’s news. According to Tribuna and Africa Soccer, the staff and players have rallied to help the winger regain confidence and form, while Diego Simeone has publicly reaffirmed his faith in him.
The calendar makes this context all the more sensitive: on Sunday 8 November at 21:00, Atlético host FC Barcelona, Liga leaders and reigning champions, at the Metropolitano. The Madrid side are on a run of seven consecutive league victories.
Reduced playing time
Arriving in February 2026 from Atalanta, Lookman had made a successful start: 9 goals in 24 matches in his first spell, Tribuna and Africa Soccer recall. This season, the output has dropped: just one goal in 11 Liga matches, for 3 attacking contributions in 14 outings in all competitions, according to Guardian Nigeria and OneFootball/OffsAIde.
The press nevertheless highlights a physical condition judged to be excellent, though that has not been enough to guarantee him a starting place in Simeone’s XI, according to Tribuna and Africa Soccer. There is also a specific criticism: a defensive error that contributed to Bayern Munich’s second goal in the 2-0 Champions League defeat, Lookman having come on in the 59th minute, again according to the two outlets.
The dressing room rallies
Faced with this barren spell, Diego Simeone has publicly reaffirmed his confidence in the Nigerian forward, insisting that he still believes in him, according to Tribuna.
The move goes beyond the coach alone: according to Tribuna and Africa Soccer, the staff and players have rallied to help the winger regain confidence and form.
Barcelona, a telling memory
On Sunday, Atlético host FC Barcelona at the Metropolitano. In the last meeting between the two teams, in February, Lookman scored, Guardian Nigeria recalls.
Nothing suggests, however, that Simeone will start him or leave him on the bench. The context is that of a squad on a run of seven straight Liga wins.
After Barça, Atlético will face Bayern Munich again in the Champions League on Tuesday, according to OneFootball/OffsAIde. The Bavarian club had preferred Nicolas Jackson to Lookman last summer, for lack of a financial agreement with Atalanta, according to the same source.