Lookman loses out on major award to Atalanta teammate

Ademola Lookman’s strong October performances were not enough to secure him Serie A’s Player of the Month award, as his Atalanta teammate Mateo Retegui claimed the honour.

The award, handed out by Lega Serie A, went to Retegui after a remarkable month that saw him dominate the league’s scoring charts and deliver standout performances for Atalanta.

Retegui, who has quickly made his mark in Serie A after his summer move, was named the Player of the Month for October, an award presented by Lega Serie A.

The Atalanta forward leads the league in scoring with 11 goals across 12 appearances, netting six goals in four October games alone.

Lega Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo praised Retegui’s performances, highlighting his exceptional start to the season and his impact on Atalanta’s results.

"Mateo Retegui’s contribution to Atalanta’s performance in this first part of the season has been impressive, among the best ever for a striker making his debut with a new shirt in Serie A,” De Siervo noted.

While Lookman’s two goals and three assists in October helped him emerge as a top contender for the award, Retegui’s prolific goal scoring ultimately tipped the scales in his favour.

Despite missing out on the Player of the Month accolade, Lookman’s focus remains on the coveted CAF African Player of the Year award, where he is considered a favourite.

With key performances anticipated in Nigeria’s upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda, Lookman will have further opportunities to boost his chances of clinching this prestigious honour come December.