Romelu Lukaku has grown up in poverty and has become one of the most prolific strikers of his generation, and now aims to protect Serie in Naples
Romelu Lukaku claims that his glittering career is “revenge” for his poor upbringing. And the former Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United striker said, “Because my kids don’t want to relive what I’ve experienced.”
The Belgian striker revealed in 2018 that his mother, Adolphine, had been making milk last longer by adding water, and that he couldn’t afford pay TV to watch the Champions League. Lukaku, who began his career at Anderlecht, was active in top clubs in the UK and Italy, breaking his country’s goals record.
And he won his second Scudetto with Antonio Conte in Napoli last season. He scored in the final match of the season against Cagliari. “I’m the guy I wanted to be,” said Lukaku, now 32.
“I gave the whole family the opportunity to go to school and college. At the best of my career, they were always in the stadium: my mother, my children, my brother (Jordan).
“Look, it’s vengeance. And even in suffering, as an adult, she always gave me a push: “Remember where we came from.” Growing up, I often think about what I have experienced and what something clicks inside me, it gives me energy: I don’t want my children to relive what I have experienced.
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“Now they’re on track. They’re already speaking three languages at age 3 and 7. And I have everything in football too, so I’m happy.
What kind of dad is Lukaku? “Sweet,” he told Gazzetta Dero Sports. “I’ve always hugged them. I love touches. It’s very difficult to be strict with them. I’m stricter than my mother, girlfriend and brother.”
Lukaku’s strong family ties saw him clash with former Manchester United teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a 2021 Coppa Italia tie. The Swedish told the Belgians:
The provocation had mentioned allegations by former Everton owner Farhad Moshiri – vehemently denied by Lukaku – he refused to renew his contract at Goodison Park after receiving a voodoo message from his mother. According to Ibrahimovic’s 2022 book, Adrenaline: My Untold Stories, Lukaku replied. “I’m going to put three bullets on your head.”
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Asked if that argument was resolved, the Belgian said: “It’s not necessary. But I respect his career. He was a unique player.”
His career was not controversial. Lukaku’s second spell at Chelsea came to a short time after saying he regretted leaving Inter Milan for £97.5 million.
His final match on loan at Inter was a 2023 Champions League loss to Manchester City, but he flirted with Juventus and ended up in Rome. There was no speculation about transfer this summer. “We didn’t wait for the agent’s call, we focused on our family,” he said.
He has a close relationship with Conte, but he played his “very small” role in bringing famous Belgian Kevin de Bruin to Naples. “Only two very simple calls,” he said. And can Lukaku get better at just 32?
“Of course we always have the tools to make it better. I have a gym at home. (Lionel) Messi (Cristiano) Ronaldo (Robert) Lewandovsky, Ibra is great, but my role model is Karim Benzema.
To avoid being embarrassed to hide his feelings, Lukaku cried after his goal of sealing Scudetto in May. “Yes, I lifted an incredible weight off my shoulder,” he admitted. “Win once. Doing it twice means you’re the winner. Now, let’s start again. Let’s see what we can add to the trophy cabinet.”
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