Ademola Lookman's historic hat-trick in the 3-0 Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen triggered a heart-warming response from his mentor and coach of former youth side Waterloo, Felix Emanus.
Lookman, 26, delivered an iconic performance in Dublin on Wednesday night, scoring three sensational goals with his three shots to beat Xabi Alonso's previously invincible Leverkusen and deliver Atalanta their first piece of silverware since 1963. In the club's 116-year history, the trophy is only their second.
Promises of street names to be named after the the London-born Nigeria winger have been swift in Italian media. Lookman became only the sixth player to score a hat-trick in a European final - the first since Jupp Heynckes for Borussia Monchengladbach in the 1975 Uefa Cup. The treble lifted his goal tally to 15 for the season, matching the record from his debut season last year.
Lookman claimed his exploits were no great surprise, despite never having previously recorded double figures in a season for Charlton, Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham or Leicester and plying a relative nomadic existence for much of his career. Atalanta manager Gian Pero Gasperini admitted afterwards: "Nobody could ever imagine he'd could make this much progress."
However, Lookman's former youth team coach Emanus, who has known Lookman since he was nine years old, supported the former Everton's player's sentiments in an emotional speech after the final whistle.
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Speaking to TNT Sports, a visibly-moved Emanus said: "I really can't tell you my emotions - sky high, sky high. We’ve been dreaming about this for a long time, since Ade was a kid at Waterloo. I’d just like to say a couple of words to the coaches at Waterloo. Not just myself, all the people who worked with Ademola and have strived to get him where he is. Fantastic player.
"Tonight was a dream come true. I cried when the third goal went in, and I don’t cry. People who know me, people watching right now might be thinking, you big sissy.
Ademloa Lookman celebrates with his Player of the Match award and matchball (2024 Jonathan Moscrop)“I’m so glad for Ade. He works hard, quiet lad. Sometimes misunderstood because of his quietness but he's a great kid. Wants to learn, wants to always get better and wants to reach the top."
Lookman helped Nigeria to reach the African Cup of Nations final this year, but were undone by a spectacular comeback victory from hosts Ivory Coast. And Emanus believes the biggest stages are where Lookman performs his best.
“He thrives on a big stage," he said. "He's never been afraid. When I took him to trials, I’d be more nervous than him. He’d be calm and cool, get the job done."
Ademloa Lookman and Felix Emanus celebrate with the Europa League trophy (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)In the morning before the final, Emanus sent Lookman a message of good luck before the match and shared the text with TNT: “Yo, what a great season. Qualification for the Champions League, Italian Cup final, and now the Uefa Cup final. 10 goals last year, eight assists, this will be a season to remember. Now to put the icing on the cake. Time to deliver. One of those Waterloo high performances you used to believe in as a kid when you were unplayable.
"Imagination, creativity, aggressive attacking football, calm finishing. You will need all these attributes to become a winner on the night. Play well my friend, enjoy. Play the game and not your emotions. God bless, see you later.”
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