Ademola Lookman was at the centre of an extraordinary touchline bust-up on Wednesday night after being grabbed by Atalanta manager Ivan Juric during their Champions League clash with Marseille.
The Nigerian winger, one of Atalanta’s standout stars, was visibly furious after being substituted in the 75th minute with the game still goalless.
As he trudged off, words were exchanged between player and coach, and what started as frustration quickly spiralled into confrontation.
According to witnesses, Juric shouted back at Lookman before grabbing him by the arm, sparking disbelief on the Atalanta bench.
Club CEO Luca Percassi and veteran midfielder Marten de Roon had to intervene before things got out of hand.
“It was tense. Lookman looked stunned, Juric looked livid. The whole bench froze,” said one Italian reporter after the game.
Atalanta went on to snatch a 1–0 victory over Marseille, but all post-match chatter centred on the explosive touchline moment.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Juric and Lookman had another heated exchange in the tunnel after full-time, though it remains unclear whether it was a reconciliation or a continuation of the feud.
Not His First Row
This latest clash adds to a growing list of disputes involving the 28-year-old.
Earlier this year, Lookman fell out with former boss Gian Piero Gasperini, who publicly branded him “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen” after a European defeat to Club Brugge.
Lookman hit back online, saying the comments were “deeply disrespectful” and undermined his commitment to the club and fans.
“I’ve always given everything for this team. To be singled out like that hurt deeply,”
Lookman posted at the time.
Transfer Tensions and Broken Promises
Tensions resurfaced over the summer when Lookman tried to force a move away from Bergamo.
Inter Milan tabled a £32 million offer, while PSG and Atletico Madrid were also linked, but Atalanta refused to sell.
Frustrated, Lookman issued a strongly worded statement accusing the club of “broken promises” and “poor treatment.”
“After months of false assurances, I feel I have no choice but to speak out for what’s right. Enough is enough,”
He said in August.
Despite the controversy, the winger was reintegrated into the squad, playing eight times this season and continuing to deliver on the pitch until now.
Is This the Final Straw?
The altercation with Juric may have sealed Lookman’s fate.
Italian reports suggest Atalanta could cash in during the January transfer window, with interest from several top European clubs.
An unnamed club insider was quoted as saying:
“Lookman has been our most productive player, but the relationship feels broken. This could be the end.”
Lookman’s journey from Charlton Athletic’s academy to Champions League nights in Italy has been remarkable.
After spells with Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester, he joined Atalanta in 2022 for £13 million, a deal that’s since proved a bargain.
His record speaks volumes: 40 goals in 99 games, including a historic Europa League final hat-trick that cemented his place in Atalanta folklore.
But after this latest flashpoint, questions are being asked: has Ademola Lookman played his final game for La Dea?
