Nigeria’s Super Eagles have rallied behind Ademola Lookman following criticism from Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini over his missed penalty in a UEFA Champions League defeat to Club Brugge.
In a show of support, the official Super Eagles X handle reposted Lookman’s response to the controversy with a simple but powerful message, “We are with you, Ade.”
Lookman, in a statement on Wednesday, described Gasperini’s public remarks as “deeply disrespectful.”
“Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo,” he stated.
The 26-year-old further clarified that he had not acted against team instructions, revealing that the designated penalty taker had asked him to step up.
“During the match, the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty and to support the team, I took responsibility in the moment to do so,” he explained.
