Ademola Lookman has surprised fans by unveiling extensive new tattoos during his off-season holiday. The Atletico Madrid forward was also spotted spending time with Afrobeats superstar Wizkid in a viral Instagram post. Several football stars and celebrities reacted as Lookman continues his break after being excused from Super Eagles duty.
New Tattoos Revealed
The Nigeria international left fans stunned after unveiling a series of previously unseen tattoos while enjoying his holiday break following a demanding 2025/26 campaign. The Atletico Madrid winger shared a collection of photos on Instagram on Monday evening, but it was not only his celebrity company that caught attention. Instead, many followers were surprised by the appearance of extensive tattoos covering parts of his upper body, marking a dramatic change in the image the Super Eagles star has maintained throughout his career. Lookman, who has rarely been associated with tattoos in the past, appeared in one image wearing a white tank top, while another photograph showed a shirtless rear view, revealing what looked like a large and detailed design stretching across a significant portion of his upper back. The 28-year-old also displayed visible artwork around his arm and shoulder area, sparking immediate discussion among supporters who had never seen him publicly show such body art before. Many fans described the transformation as shocking, particularly because Lookman had previously explained why he stayed away from tattoos. While Lookman has yet to reveal the meaning behind the tattoos, speculation quickly spread across social media.
Lookman Spotted with Wizkid
Away from the tattoos, another major talking point from the Instagram post was Lookman's appearance alongside Nigerian music icon Wizkid. One of the images showed the football star and the Grammy-winning artiste relaxing together in a colourful setting illuminated by pink and purple lighting, surrounded by decorative plants and modern interior features. The photograph quickly attracted attention from both football and entertainment fans, given the popularity of the pair within their respective industries. Lookman has never hidden his admiration for Afrobeats music and previously named Wizkid among his favourite musicians. Shortly after joining Atletico Madrid earlier this year, the winger was asked to reveal his top three artistes of all time. "My Top 3 Favorite artistes of all time are Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido," he told Atletico Madrid. Some fans even jokingly suggested that the singer may have influenced Lookman's decision to finally get tattoos after years of avoiding them.
Football Stars React
Lookman's Instagram upload quickly attracted reactions from several notable figures in football and entertainment. Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey responded with: "Oiiii ?" Atletico Madrid teammate Giuliano Simeone also joined the conversation, writing: "Mola ?" Popular music producer and DJ DJ Tunez commented: "OGBAFIA! ????" Italian defender Matteo Ruggeri added: "COMPLIMENTIIIIII!!!!!" Meanwhile, Ezri Konsa simply posted: "Heart emoji" Former footballer and media personality KWP also reacted with: "Fly!"
Time Away from Football
The Nigerian forward is currently enjoying a well-earned break after an exhausting season that saw him feature heavily for Atletico Madrid. Although Lookman was initially included in Eric Chelle's plans for Nigeria's high-profile friendlies against Poland and Portugal, Atletico Madrid allegedly declined the invitation. The Spanish club cited fatigue concerns following the player's demanding workload during the campaign. With Nigeria not participating in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, Lookman has been afforded additional time to recover physically before the start of pre-season preparations. The winger will be hoping to return refreshed after a season that produced nine goals and three assists in 24 appearances, per FotMob, following his move from Atalanta.
Atletico Madrid Future Uncertain
Despite making a positive impact since arriving in Spain, reports continue to link Lookman with a possible exit from Atletico Madrid. According to a report from Fichajes, Diego Simeone and members of the club's technical staff have concerns regarding how well the Nigerian fits the tactical demands of the team. The Madrid club are also believed to be exploring ways to raise funds after ending the season without silverware. Per Transfermarkt, Lookman is valued at 40 million euros and Atletico will only consider offers if suitable proposals arrive during the summer transfer window. The club finished fourth in La Liga, a considerable distance behind champions Barcelona, prompting plans for significant changes ahead of next season.
Lookman Settles Osimhen Feud
Legit.ng previously reported that Lookman appeared to dismiss suggestions of tension with fellow Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen after their heated exchange during Nigeria's AFCON round of 16 victory over Mozambique. Shortly after the match, the forward shared a social media post celebrating his friendship with Osimhen, accompanied by Wizkid's hit song Blessed featuring Damian Marley.
