7 Super Eagles players who have won the Europa League after Ademola Lookman's Atalanta heroics

The UEFA Europa League has witnessed several Nigerian stars' rise over the years. Ademola Lookman's impressive hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night has only added to the country's growing legacy in the competition.

Lookman, the 26-year-old Atalanta forward, became only the seventh Nigerian player to win the Europa League, joining an esteemed list of Super Eagles stars who have made their mark on Europe's second-tier club competition.

The first Nigerians to win the Europa League, then known as the UEFA Cup, were Kanu Nwankwo and Taribo West, who lifted the trophy with Inter Milan in 1998 after defeating Lazio in the final. 

The Super Eagles legends were the trailblazers in the competition during their illustrious careers, with Kanu starting the all-Italian clash on the bench while his compatriot, West, started but did not finish the game as he picked up a red card.

Super Eagles defender Chidi Odiah joined the legends mentioned above when he lifted it in 2005.

The remarkably talented and skilful wingback followed in their footsteps, winning the Europa League with Russian side CSKA Moscow.

John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses then added their names to the list, winning the competition with Chelsea in 2013 before Samuel Chukwueze continued Nigeria's proud tradition by lifting the trophy with Villarreal in 2021.

Lookman's heroics on Wednesday night, which saw him become the first player in Europa League history to score a brace and a hat-trick in the final, have cemented Nigeria's status as the African nation with the most Europa League titles.

The Super Eagles' continued success in the competition is a testament to the country's rich football heritage and the ability of its players to shine on the biggest stages in European football.