By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Manchester United’s newest signing, Bryan Mbeumo, has hailed Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman as one of Africa’s top three players currently, alongside Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi.
Speaking in an interview with Rio Ferdinand, the Cameroonian international praised Lookman’s recent rise, following a stellar year with Atalanta. Lookman played a key role in Nigeria’s run to the AFCON 2023 final and scored a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final to secure Atalanta’s first European title – feats that earned him the 2024 African Player of the Year award.
“For now, Salah, Lookman, and Hakimi. He’s the best right-back in the world,” Mbeumo said.
The 25-year-old winger earned his move to Manchester United after a standout 2024/2025 season with Brentford, where he scored 20 goals and provided eight assists in 38 Premier League matches. Born in France, Mbeumo represented France at youth level before switching to Cameroon in 2022. He has since scored six goals in 22 appearances for the Indomitable Lions.
Asked about his all-time African greats, Mbeumo named Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, and Yaya Toure – legends who inspired his early ambition as a goal-scorer. “I looked up to Eto’o. He was scoring goals, and that’s what I wanted to do,” he said.
Mbeumo’s praise for Lookman reflects a growing recognition of African talent making global waves – and he now finds himself among that rising class as he begins a new chapter at Old Trafford.
