Former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has lavished praise on Nigeria's Ademola Lookman following his impressive start at Atletico Madrid.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable start to his campaign with the La Liga giants since joining the club from Atalanta in the winter transfer window.

The former African Footballer of the Year scored on his debut against Real Betis in the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey, helping Diego Simeone's side to a resounding 5-0 victory at the Estadio Benito Villamarín.

Lookman followed up that performance with another goal against Spanish champions Barcelona as Atleti thrashed Hansi Flick's side 4-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.

Umtiti, who was at the Metropolitano Stadium as Atletico Madrid humiliated his former club, lauded Lookman's brilliant start at the club and urged the Super Eagles star to maintain the same level of performance.

“Keep going like this; you have to keep going,” the 2018 World Cup winner told Lookman.

“Players like Antoine (Griezmann) are really smart, and Julian (Alvarez) is also very skilled with the ball. So, you have to keep going,” he added.

Despite Lookman's impressive performances in the Copa del Rey, Simeone's side are yet to record a win in La Liga since the player joined the club.

Los Colchoneros have lost 1-0 to Real Betis and 3-0 to Rayo Vallecano in their last two league matches.

WDN