Ademola Lookman’s youth coach went viral after reading out the lengthy message he sent the star before his Europa League final heroics.
The Nigeria forward scored a hat-trick as Atalanta recorded a 3-0 victory over previously unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen to win the competition in Dublin.
Having graduated from Charlton’s youth academy and playing for Everton, Fulham and Leicester in the Premier League, Lookman seems to have found his feet with the Italian side after joining the club two years ago.
His treble against Bayer Leverkusen saw him reach 30 goals in 76 matches with Atalanta also set to play in next season’s Champions League.
One man who has helped the 26-year-old hugely is former youth team coach with London-based side, Waterloo, Felix Emanus who was invited along to the Europa League final.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, he attracted attention when launching into the lengthy text message that he sent the forward.
Emanus said: “I sent him a text this morning, I sent most of the people a text before every game.
“It says ‘yo, what a great season – qualification for the Champions League, the Italian Cup final and now the Europa League final.
“’10 goals last year, 8 assists. This will be a season to remember – now to put the icing on the cake. Time to deliver one of those Waterloo performances that you used to believe as a kid where you were unplayable.
“’Imagination, creativity, aggressive attacking football, calm finishing – you will need all of 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.’”
“I cried when the third goal went in”
One of Ademola Lookman’s former youth coaches with an emotional interview after his MOTM performance in a European final
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 22, 2024
After finishing the interview, presenter Jules Breach jokingly declared: “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a text message that long!”
But that didn’t detract from an emotional interview in Emanus spoke of his huge pride at the heights that Lookman reached.
He said: “I really can’t tell you my emotions – sky high. I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time. We’ve been dreaming about this for a long time, since Ade was a kid at Waterloo.
“He’s a fantastic player and tonight was a dream come true.
“I cried when the third goal went in and I don’t cry. I’m so glad for Ade – he works so hard. He’s a quiet lad, he’s sometimes misunderstood because of his quietness but he’s a great kid.
“He wants to learn, he wants to get better and wants to reach the top.
“He thrives on the big stage, he’s never been frightened of it. Even when we’d take him for trials, I’d be more nervous than him and he’d just be cool and calm and get the job done.
“I’ve been with him since he was nine and he’s always wanted to be a footballer. It’s all he’s ever wanted to do.”