According to a report by The Punch on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the honeymoon phase between Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone and Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman appears to be hitting a rough patch.

Questions are swirling across the Spanish capital following Atlético's recent defeat to Barcelona, a match where Lookman was left rooted on the bench for the full ninety minutes—even though the Argentine tactician had unused substitution slots at his disposal.

The omission comes as a major shock, especially considering Simeone had only recently offered public reassurances to the 28-year-old winger, urging him not to let a temporary dip in form derail his confidence.

"I don’t want him to get frustrated because he’s not going through his best moment. This is work, this is believing in what you do," Simeone had previously declared in support of the Nigerian star.

Despite trailing against Barcelona, Simeone opted to make only four substitutions during the clash. While players like David Hancko, Johnny Cardoso, and Jonathan David were introduced in various phases to spark a comeback, Lookman was completely overlooked.

Even more glaring was Simeone's decision to keep a struggling Julian Alvarez on the pitch for the entire match despite facing jeers from sections of the home crowd.

The snub marks a sharp downturn for Lookman, who had featured in all 11 of Atlético’s LaLiga fixtures prior to the Barcelona game—though he has struggled to find clinical form, managing just a single league goal since August alongside one goal and one assist in four UEFA Champions League outings.

Despite the tactical cold shoulder from his manager, reports from Spanish sports daily Marca suggest that the broader hierarchy at Atlético Madrid remains fully supportive of the forward.

“No one at Atlético Madrid has lost faith in Ademola Lookman. Both the coaching staff and the dressing room are united in their determination to help him rediscover his best form and, above all, regain his confidence and morale. Nobody doubts his ability, and his attitude has never been called into question,” Marca reported.

Meanwhile, the decision has sparked fierce debates among club supporters. Some fans have taken to social media to direct their frustrations toward Simeone's tactical system rather than the player.

One supporter pointedly compared Lookman's treatment to that of his peers: "Julian wanted a new club a few months ago, started and played like shit. Why can’t Lookman get the same grace?"

With club tension simmering, Lookman has temporarily put his club troubles behind him. The winger has jetted back to Nigeria to join the Super Eagles ahead of their crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Tanzania, where he will be eager to rediscover his scoring boots and regain peak confidence on national duty.