Sunday Oliseh Applauds Lookman's Atletico Madrid Transfer with Subtle Criticism of Osimhen
Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh has stirred significant discussion on social media by publicly praising Ademola Lookman's recent transfer to Atletico Madrid while appearing to take a subtle swipe at fellow Nigerian star Victor Osimhen's move to Galatasaray.
Lookman's High-Profile Move to Spanish Football
The former Nigeria international and manager specifically commended Lookman's decision to join Atlético Madrid during the January transfer window, which concluded on Monday, February 2, 2026. This move places the winger in direct competition with some of football's biggest names in the Spanish La Liga, including Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr, and Lamine Yamal.
Lookman arrives at his new Spanish club following an exceptionally successful three-and-a-half-year period at Italian side Atalanta. During his tenure there, he played a pivotal role in the club's historic 2023/24 UEFA Europa League victory and made personal history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a European final for Atalanta.
Oliseh's Comments Spark Transfer Philosophy Debate
In a viral post on social media platform X, Oliseh framed Lookman's transfer as a strategic career choice that prioritizes legacy over immediate financial gain. The former Ajax star described the transfer window closure as having "detonated" and praised Lookman for choosing what he termed the "disciplined fire" of manager Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid over what he implied was a more lucrative offer from Turkey.
"Is this the move that turns an African star into a Ballon d'Or mainstay?" Oliseh questioned in his post. "Atletico isn't just a club; for Lookman, it's a war for legacy."
These comments were widely interpreted as containing veiled criticism of Victor Osimhen, who recently completed a transfer to Turkish giants Galatasaray following his departure from Napoli. The 28-year-old striker had reportedly discussed with Lookman about joining him at Fenerbahce, another Turkish club, but Lookman ultimately chose the Spanish capital instead.
Fan Reactions Highlight Diverging Perspectives
The football community has responded with mixed reactions to Oliseh's commentary. Some supporters have accused the former coach of unfairly targeting Osimhen, suggesting his comments stem from envy or bitterness toward the current generation of Nigerian stars.
One social media user commented: "All of una dey attack Osimhen from left to right now o, if e respond now una go say him no get home training, since lookman move, na so so dragging una dey use style dey drag Osimhen."
Another fan defended the financial considerations in transfer decisions: "I will choose money anytime anyday. What legacy? After all he did for Atalanta. Did they not mess him up for past month. After all Osimhen did for Napoli, Did they not mess him up too? Don't play for money make hungry finish you years after you retire."
A third response criticized Oliseh directly: "We know ur attacking Osimhen. Envy. Jealousy and bitterness is very bad. U have finished ur career. Some stars are in Saudi. Nothing happens just Osimhen the more you attack the guy. The more u lose ur small value that remains. Is unfortunate."
Lookman's Departure from Atalanta
Lookman's move to Spain follows a period of uncertainty at his former club. The 2024 CAF Player of the Year experienced difficulties at Atalanta after missing a crucial penalty against Club Brugge in the 2024/25 Champions League, which led then-coach Gian Piero Gasperini to label him the club's worst penalty taker.
The situation deteriorated further when the winger expressed his desire to leave the Italian club, with stalled transfer negotiations forcing him to remain at La Dea against his wishes for an extended period. Following the completion of his transfer, Lookman has since sent a heartfelt farewell message to Atalanta fans, acknowledging both the ups and downs of his time in Bergamo.
This transfer saga highlights the complex decisions facing African football stars as they navigate career moves between European leagues, balancing financial considerations against competitive ambitions and legacy-building opportunities.
