‘No one like him in Italy’ – Inter Milan & Juventus legend Vieri raves about Nigeria’s Lookman

Italian football legend Christian Vieri has hailed Nigeria and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman as the most thrilling player in Serie A, praising his dynamism and fearless attacking play, Footynaija.com reports.

Lookman, who was named Africa’s Footballer of the Year in December, has been instrumental in Atalanta’s surprise push for the Serie A title this season. The Bergamo-based club sits third in the table, trailing only Inter Milan and Napoli, with the Nigerian forward playing a pivotal role in their campaign.

The 27-year-old’s electric performances have attracted interest from Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool, as well as Italian powerhouse Juventus. And for Vieri, Lookman’s ability makes him a must-watch player in Italy.

Simply magical, Ademola Lookman #AtalantaNapoli pic.twitter.com/fPntM1cjoW

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 19, 2025

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the former Inter Milan and Juventus striker said: “You watch him and think, ‘Oh, let’s see what he does now.’ There’s no one like him in Serie A: every time he gets the ball, he goes one-on-one, always. He’s fast and strong; he takes players on, dribbles, and shoots. Left foot or right foot, it doesn’t matter.”

Lookman’s season has not been without challenges. He recently clashed with Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini following the club’s Champions League exit to Club Brugge. The winger missed a crucial penalty in the second leg, prompting Gasperini to controversially label him “the worst penalty taker ever.”

Lookman later expressed his disappointment, stating that such comments were “hurtful and disappointing” given his contributions to the team.

Vieri, reflecting on the criticism, dismissed the idea of shaming a player for missing a spot-kick, stating: “I always say that you should take a penalty if you feel like it. And if a teammate comes over and says, ‘I feel it,’ it’s fair to let him. The only ones who miss penalties are those who take them, and if you miss once, so be it.”

Despite the controversy, Lookman has been in exceptional form, scoring 13 Serie A goals this season—joint-third in the league—and providing five assists. His overall Serie A tally stands at 37 goals and 18 assists in 85 appearances.

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