Atletico Madrid’s Ademola Lookman (C) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 1-1 goal during the Spanish King’s Cup final soccer match between Real Sociedad and Atletico de Madrid, in Seville, Spain, 18 April, 2026. EPA/JULIO MUNOZ
Saturday Apr 25, 2026. 15:00
Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone is hopeful that Ademola Lookman will be available for selection against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
The Nigeria international sustained a muscular injury in the Copa del Rey final on April 18 which saw Los Colchoneros lose to Real Sociedad on penalties (4-3) following a 2-2 draw after extra time.
Lookman was forced off in the 62nd minute with Atleti trailing 2-1 at the time and subsequent scans revealed swelling to his adductor muscle rather than a tear.
The 28-year-old winger missed the 3-2 defeat against Elche in La Liga on Wednesday and Simeone confirmed that the visit of Athletic Bilbao to the Spanish capital on Saturday will come too soon for him.
“Lookman has to wait. Thank goodness we took him off against Real [Sociedad]; otherwise, it might have been worse,” Simeone said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash at the Metropolitano.
Lookman has made a telling impact for Simeone’s side since his arrival from Atalanta during the January transfer window, registering seven goals and four assists in 18 appearances across all competitions.
The former England youth international has been placed on an individual training programme by the club’s medical staff and he’s got a few extra days to recover before Atletico host the Gunners in the first leg of their European tie on April 29.