Atalanta Bergamo manager Raffaele Palladino has publicly addressed the imminent departure of his star forward, Ademola Lookman, for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Nigerian international is set to join the Super Eagles camp following the FIFA-approved release date of December 15, 2025.
Palladino's Mixed Feelings on Key Absence
The Italian tactician acknowledged the significant blow to his squad, confirming Lookman will be among the players leaving for international duty. Palladino framed the situation within the broader context of his team's injury and availability challenges for the upcoming period.
"We are losing two important players for us, strong, decisive, but we are getting back Kolasinac and Scalvini, who are equally important," Palladino stated, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb. "We need to get Sulemana back, who had this minor issue; I try to get everyone back, because I need everyone to feel involved."
This departure marks a pivotal moment for Lookman at Atalanta. The 2024 African Footballer of the Year has experienced a resurgence under Palladino's management this season. This follows a turbulent period that included a public disagreement with the club and former coach Ivan Juric, who blocked the winger's attempted summer exit.
Significant Fixture Burden for Atalanta
Lookman's participation with Nigeria at AFCON 2025 in Morocco will see him miss a critical stretch of games for the 2024 UEFA Europa League winners. According to reports, his absence could extend to seven matches across all competitions.
The fixtures he is expected to miss include several high-stakes Serie A encounters:
- Genoa
- Inter Milan
- AS Roma
- Bologna
- Torino
- Pisa
In addition to these league games, Lookman will also be unavailable for a crucial UEFA Champions League match against Spanish side Athletic Bilbao.
Super Eagles' Unwavering Faith in Lookman
Despite his limited playing time at the start of the season, Lookman remains an indispensable figure for the Nigerian national team. Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has emphasized the forward's unique value, granting him what he describes as a "rare tactical privilege."
"Sometimes the tactical criterion wins," Chelle explained in an interview with CAF Online. "For example, Ademola Lookman hadn’t played much for Atalanta early in the season, but I couldn’t name a squad without the [former] African Player of the Year. He can change a game in 15 minutes."
Chelle further highlighted the difficulty of selecting a final squad for a nation with Nigeria's depth of talent, underscoring Lookman's automatic status. Nigerian fans will be hoping the forward rediscovers his 2023 AFCON form, where his performances earned him a spot in the tournament's Best XI, especially after a disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Palladino has recently praised Lookman's return to goalscoring form, attributing it to giving the player freedom in an attack-minded system rather than any managerial "magic." The coach's comments now reflect the balancing act club managers face when their key African stars answer the call of continental duty.
