By our reporter 2.4.2026
Super Eagles and Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Ademola Lookman said he would be ready for the three games spree against Barcelona.
Barcelona will visit the Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Saturday in a La Liga fixture and then the two clubs battle again in a two leg Champions League quarterfinal. Barcelona will host Atletico April 8 and then return to the Spanish capital on April 14 for the second leg.
Lookman who played a huge role when Atletico knocked out Barcelona from the Copa del Rey in the semi-final with 4-3 aggregate win said: “It’s a special game against another tough opponent,”
“We need to be ready for that and prepare in the right way,” he said of Barcelona. “The next game is at the weekend, and we take every match as it comes, game by game.”
Meanwhile Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is not happy with coach Eric Chelle for playing Lookman in the two friendlies against Iran and Jordan during the international break in Antalya Turkey.
He played the full 90 minutes in Nigeria’s 2-1 win against Iran and also played the entire match in the 2-2 draw against Jordan, which took place in Antalya, Turkey.
Simeone is worried that his player will suffer burn out and also risk injury because of the matches.
Lookman outwits Lamine Yamal of Barcelona.