Ademola Lookman has made an electrifying debut for Atletico Madrid, igniting what fans are calling "Lookman-mania" in the Spanish capital. The 28-year-old Super Eagles star delivered a historic performance in Atletico Madrid’s dominant 5-0 victory over Real Betis in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, netting a goal and providing an assist. This instant impact, achieved just days after his €40 million transfer from Atalanta, has set a high bar for his tenure at the club.

Lookman's sensational debut saw him seamlessly integrate into Diego Simeone's squad. Despite only a few training sessions, his tactical poise, devastating turns, and fluid movement on the pitch made him appear as though he had played for the Rojiblancos for years. He scored his landmark 100th career goal in the 37th minute, receiving a pass from Pablo Barrios, gliding past two defenders, and calmly sliding the ball into the bottom corner. His influence continued after the break, turning provider just after the hour mark by slipping a perfectly weighted pass to Antoine Griezmann, who then scored Atletico's fourth goal. Other goals in the rout came from David Hancko and Giuliano Simeone, with Thiago Almada completing the scoring late on.

Coach Diego Simeone was quick to praise his new signing, explaining his decision to start Lookman immediately. Simeone highlighted that Lookman, at 28, is a veteran who doesn't need an adaptation period. He noted, "He has different qualities than the players we have, and he will make us better." This confidence was visibly justified as Lookman's presence seemed to uplift the entire team's attacking fluency, contributing to a comprehensive performance against a typically sturdy Betis side.

Fans and teammates alike have been effusive in their praise. Antoine Griezmann, benefiting directly from Lookman's assist, admitted he was eager to see more from the Nigerian international. Supporters on social media lauded his performance as an "exhibition" of modern forward play, describing him as an "absolute madman of a player." Perhaps the highest praise came with comparisons to former Atletico icon Radamel Falcao, with fans noting a striking resemblance in Lookman’s movement, control in tight spaces, and body positioning with the ball. Many believe that this debut was just a glimpse, with his best version yet to be seen.

Lookman's debut was not only impressive but also record-breaking. He became the first Atletico player since at least the 2013/14 season to start his debut against a Primera División opponent and register both a goal and an assist in the same match across all competitions. Furthermore, he is the first Nigerian player to score for Atletico Madrid. Speaking after the match, Lookman described his first outing as a "dream start," expressing immense happiness and gratitude for the warm welcome received from the team and staff. He affirmed that this joy fuels his desire to work hard and perform consistently for such a special club.

With this memorable introduction, Ademola Lookman has firmly established himself as a player to watch in La Liga. He is expected to lead the line again this weekend against the same opposition, Real Betis, as Atletico Madrid looks to maintain its momentum in their pursuit of silverware across multiple fronts this season.