‘ They speak to me in Yoruba ‘ – Ademola Lookman reveals he his learning a new language
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has revealed that he is learning the Yoruba language from his teammates, including star striker Victor Osimhen.
Lookman, who has been in impressive form for both club and country, recently earned a CAF Player of the Year nomination and made it into the top 30 Ballon d’Or shortlist. His performances were instrumental in helping Nigeria reach the AFCON final and securing the Europa League title with Atalanta.
After starting his international career with England’s youth teams, Lookman switched allegiance to Nigeria. He shared that the warm welcome from his Super Eagles teammates has made his transition smooth and motivated his success on the field.
“When I first joined the Super Eagles, I was really happy that a group of players welcomed me with love and treated me like one of their own,” Lookman told the BBC. “It’s a dream and an honour to wear this badge. We are proud of what we achieved at the AFCON.”
The Atalanta winger added that learning Yoruba has been an enjoyable experience. “Now, some of my teammates speak Yoruba to me. For example, Victor Osimhen speaks to me in Yoruba sometimes, and if I understand, I try to respond in Yoruba.”
Lookman’s growing connection with the team reflects his strong bond with the squad and highlights his commitment to embracing Nigeria’s culture.