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In the closing moments of an ordinary training session at Atlético Madrid’s complex, something unusual happened between manager Diego Simeone and star forward Ademola Lookman, Footynaija reports.
While teammates disappeared down the tunnel, Simeone remained on the pitch with new signing Lookman for a conversation that lasted roughly 20 minutes, according to Marca. It was a quiet exchange that now speaks loudly about the club’s plans for the Nigerian forward.
Rather than a disciplinary discussion, the meeting represented one of Simeone’s most trusted coaching methods: personal connection. Sitting informally after training, coach and player discussed positioning, mentality and responsibility within the demanding tactical framework that defines Atlético Madrid.
🥹🇦🇷🇳🇬 As they made their way back to the dressing room, Diego Simeone and Ademola Lookman shared a warm hug.
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) February 24, 2026
This is exactly what the Nigerian needed – a coach who makes him feel loved. ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/W0eUvZeIDK
Lookman’s early impact since arriving from Atalanta during the winter window has been immediate. Four goals and three assists in under 400 minutes show why supporters have quickly embraced him. His acceleration, direct running and instinctive movement between the lines have added fresh unpredictability to Atlético’s attack.
Yet Simeone’s focus extends beyond numbers. The Argentine has analysed the attacker’s performances for the Super Eagles, identifying a version of Lookman defined not only by flair but by relentless defensive intensity. That observation has shaped the manager’s current objective: transforming a gifted attacker into what he considers a complete Atlético forward.
Speaking before the weekend fixture, Simeone publicly explained the challenge he has set.
“He arrived full of enthusiasm, eager to continue growing and helping us, and we to help him. As I said a few days ago, we need him to keep contributing offensively and add to that the defensive work he already does, especially in Nigeria. We need him to feel the shirt the same way he feels the Nigeria shirt, to be able to represent Atlético in that state, because in that state he is a very important player.”
🚨🇳🇬 Diego Simeone: “Ademola Lookman arrived with great enthusiasm and desire to keep growing. We need him to add defensive work to what he already gives us offensively, because he has that ability.
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) February 27, 2026
He’s shown it with the Nigeria national team, and we need him in that role.” pic.twitter.com/RvB8o6RJoE
Those words reveal Simeone’s deeper philosophy: emotional identification with the club is as important as tactical discipline.
Club insiders have drawn parallels with a past intervention involving Álvaro Morata, whose scoring form surged after a similar one-to-one exchange with the coach. There is growing belief that Lookman could follow a comparable trajectory.
Please watch.
— TobyWrites (@tobyasky) February 24, 2026
Diego Simeone was shaking his players normally, but when he got to Lookman, see the joy in his face.
Lookman has changed his life.
pic.twitter.com/7IclduYzPN
The Nigerian has already begun adapting, frequently drifting into central spaces as a second striker and triggering the rapid transitions that define Atlético’s counter-attacking identity. Simeone’s demand now is consistency without the ball; faster recovery runs, aggressive pressing and defensive awareness that turns attacking moments into collective effort.
Atlético’s next test comes against Real Oviedo, with victory required to keep pressure on third-placed Villarreal CF. The match may offer another glimpse of whether that quiet training-ground conversation has already begun shaping Lookman’s evolution.
https://www.marca.com/futbol/atletico/2026/02/28/cholismo-vena-lookman.html
