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According to a report by Daily Post on Sunday October 25, 2026, Ademola Lookman has come under fresh criticism following Atletico Madrid's 1-0 victory over Deportivo de La Coruña, with club insider Jesus Colino expressing concerns about the Nigerian forward's recent performances.
Lookman struggled to make an impact during the La Liga encounter and was substituted at half-time by Atletico manager Diego Simeone.
The early withdrawal marked the third time in four La Liga appearances that the Super Eagles forward had been taken off before the second half, raising further questions about his current form and role in Simeone's plans.
According to Colino, who assessed the performance for Spanish newspaper AS, Lookman offered little attacking threat during his 45 minutes on the pitch.
The Nigerian reportedly failed to register a shot attempt, create a scoring opportunity or attempt a dribble before being replaced.
Colino also highlighted Lookman's limited involvement in possession, claiming that he was the Atletico player who touched the ball the least during the match.
He further noted that almost all of Lookman's passes in Deportivo's half went backwards, suggesting that the forward struggled to make progressive contributions in the attacking third.
In his assessment, Colino concluded that Lookman's form was continuing to decline, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the Nigerian's recent displays for the Spanish club.
The criticism comes despite Atletico securing all three points from the encounter. Although the result was positive for Simeone's team, Lookman's individual performance left questions about his effectiveness in domestic competition.
His repeated early substitutions have also become a talking point, particularly as Atletico look to maintain consistency across their campaign.
However, the available report does not establish whether Simeone's decisions were based entirely on Lookman's performances or whether tactical considerations also played a role.
Interestingly, the forward's domestic difficulties contrast with his reported contributions in European competition.
Lookman scored against Manchester United before providing an assist in Atletico's 1-1 draw with VfB Stuttgart, demonstrating that he has still been able to contribute in continental fixtures.
Those performances offer a different perspective on his current situation, suggesting that his struggles in La Liga have not necessarily prevented him from making important contributions elsewhere.
For Lookman, the immediate challenge will be to rediscover his attacking sharpness, become more influential in possession and convince Simeone that he deserves a regular starting place.
The Nigerian international has established himself as a player capable of producing decisive moments, but maintaining that impact consistently will be important as competition for places continues.
Atletico's upcoming fixtures could provide Lookman with an opportunity to respond to the criticism and demonstrate that his recent domestic performances are only a temporary setback.