Ademola Lookman's Nigeria minutes draw scrutiny from Atletico Madrid

The Spanish club are believed to be unhappy with the volume of minutes played by Lookman, who featured for the full duration of both matches against Iran and Jordan, All Nigeria Soccer reported.

The 26-year-old clocked 180 minutes across the two fixtures, despite their non-competitive nature, prompting questions from his club over workload management.

Lookman, who joined Atletico Madrid from Atalanta during the winter transfer window, has quickly become an important figure in Diego Simeone's squad. His impact has been immediate, contributing goals and assists across multiple competitions, including La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.

That form has made him a key asset as Atletico navigate a demanding run-in, with ambitions still alive on several fronts. As a result, the club are understood to be keen to protect the forward from unnecessary physical strain.

According to reports, Atletico view the decision to play Lookman for 90 minutes in both friendlies as excessive, particularly given the context of the matches.

He started in Nigeria's 2-1 win over Iran before being substituted late, and then completed the full match in the 2-2 draw against Jordan in Antalya.

The situation highlights the ongoing balancing act between club and country, especially when it comes to player welfare during international windows.

While national teams often prioritise preparation and cohesion, clubs remain wary of the physical toll on key players during crucial stages of the season.

With Lookman enjoying one of the most productive spells of his career, Atletico's concerns underline their intent to keep him fresh and available as they push for silverware.

How the matter is managed moving forward could be significant, particularly with more international fixtures on the horizon. 

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