Former France and Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has advised Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman to remain focused and maintain his high performance level following an impressive outing in the Copa del Rey semi-final.

Umtiti was present at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano as Atletico Madrid defeated FC Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of the semi-final clash. Lookman delivered a standout performance, finding the back of the net alongside Julian Alvarez and Umtiti’s former France teammate Antoine Griezmann.

After the match, Griezmann handed Lookman’s jersey to Umtiti, a symbolic gesture that underscored the Nigerian’s impact on the night. Lookman was widely regarded as the headline performer, scoring his first goals in front of Atletico’s home supporters.

Umtiti, who won the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018 and was at the stadium in a commentary role for DAZN, praised Lookman’s composure and decision-making.

“Keep going like this, you have to keep going,” Umtiti said, emphasizing consistency.

He highlighted the intelligence and technical quality of players like Griezmann and Alvarez, urging Lookman to continue building strong on-field chemistry and maintain his upward trajectory.

Responding, Lookman acknowledged the collective awareness within the Atletico squad.

“I think all the players are really good at that, so they kind of know where everyone else is on the field,” he said. “So, it’s mostly about knowing what to do and when to do it, which is nice to play with them.”

Since joining Diego Simeone’s side, Lookman has recorded two goals and two assists in three appearances across all competitions—an early statement of intent as he looks to cement his place in the team’s attacking setup.