Atalanta BC forward Ademola Lookman has been ruled out of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League showdown against FC Barcelona after suffering a knee injury during a training session. The setback, confirmed by renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, could also see the Nigerian star miss several Serie A matches depending on the severity of the injury.
Further medical evaluations in the coming days will determine the full extent of the injury and provide a clearer recovery timeline. The 27-year-old Lookman, who was recently named the African Player of the Year, has been a key figure for both Atalanta and the Nigerian national team. His contributions to Atalanta’s attack this season have been pivotal, making his absence a significant blow for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the team faces a challenging run of fixtures.
The injury comes at an inopportune moment for Lookman, with the recent AFCON 2025 draw placing Nigeria in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania. With AFCON just around the corner, his fitness will be closely monitored by both Atalanta and the Super Eagles coaching staff. Lookman’s unavailability adds an extra layer of difficulty to Atalanta’s upcoming matches, as they strive to maintain their momentum in both domestic and European competitions.
