Ex-Liverpool star hits back at Ademola Lookman England switch news

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has come out to debunk the viral quote in which he allegedly said that Ademola Lookman jumped the gun by declaring for Nigeria, as he would have made Gareth Southgate’s squad. 

Lookman, 26, will be one of the strings in Finidi George’s bow for the upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, as he was for Jose Peseiro during the AFCON. 

However, he is only two years into his Super Eagles career after waiting unsuccessfully for an England call-up. The Bergamo-based striker was born and raised within British borders and has represented the Three Lions across age groups. 

After several snubs by the England national team, Lookman switched allegiance and made his first appearance for the Super Eagles in the World Cup Qualifier goalless draw clash against Ghana on March 25, 2022. He has since gone on to rack up 21 appearances, scoring six goals and providing four assists.

Ademola Lookman’s name has stayed at the top of social media trends in the past few days after displaying possibly the best performance by an individual in a European final this millennium. 

The former Everton forward scored a hattrick in the Europa League final to help Atalanta win their first major trophy since 1963, defeating the previously unblemished Bayer Leverkusen. 

The performance has placed his name on every tongue, one of which was the retired lanky striker turned pundit, Crouch.

Several hours ago, a quote, allegedly from the former Stoke City striker, made the rounds on the internet, in which the ex-striker was said to have questioned Lookman's hastiness that led him to switch allegiances from the Three Lions to Nigeria 

“If Ademola Lookman had been patient, he would have played for England instead of Nigeria.”

In replying to popular photojournalist and social media personality Pooja, who posted the graphic containing said quote, Crouch debunked the content, tagging it as “mad.”

“This is mad. I didn’t say this. Why would I?” Crouch decried.

“I said he’s been around various clubs, worked hard and now he’s performing for Atalanta. Didn’t mention Nigeria once.”

The original quotes from Peter Crouch’s eulogy of Ademola Lookman in TNT Sports’s broadcast of the Europa League final are as follows:

“Honestly, this is why you play football,” Crouch said, per EuroSport. “Somebody like Lookman, who’s been around, a footballing nomad at times, somebody who’s been Sunday League, to Charlton, to Fulham on loan, Leicester, Leipzig, he’s gone around the houses to get to the moment where he’s found a home today and scored a hat-trick in a European final. It’s an amazing story.

“Those fans will never forget the name of Ademola Lookman. It’s absolutely sensational.

"It’s really emotional for him. Obviously his family, I’m sure. It was a footballing masterclass from Gasperini. They were brilliant as a team, but I’m so pleased for Lookman.”

As stated earlier, Ademola Lookman was named in Finidi George’s squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. He is expected to next be in action for the Super Eagles in the matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic on June 3rd and 7th, respectively, as Nigeria strive towards making USA/Canada/Mexico 2026 after missing out on Qatar 2022.