TRENDING: Ademola Lookman reacts after Atalanta boss called him “one of the worst penalty takers”

Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has issued a heartfelt statement following his penalty miss in a recent match, addressing both the team’s disappointing result and comments from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.  

“It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – most of all because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city,” Lookman began.

He expressed frustration over being singled out after the incident, describing it as hurtful and disrespectful, particularly given his dedication to the team. “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.

Lookman also revealed that he has faced several challenges during his time at Atalanta, most of which he chose not to share publicly, prioritizing the team’s cohesion over personal grievances.

He said, “In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here – the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first. This makes what happened last night even more hurtful.

“Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night’s result. 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.

Despite the setback, Lookman vowed to turn the pain into motivation: “Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power, which I’ll continue to do.”