Romelu Lukaku insists commitment to Napoli stays strong and plans to complete the remaining term of the contract. Despite recent tension and fitness problems, Napoli’s forward is also included in Belgium’s squad for the upcoming World Cup, even though game time has been limited at both club and international level.
Lukaku joined Napoli in August 2024 and the second season has been difficult. A hamstring problem has restricted involvement in Serie A to only five appearances from the bench. During the 2025-26 campaign Lukaku also ignored instructions to report back for club training after the March international break and has not played for Napoli since.
The striker’s contract with Napoli runs until June 2027 and the intention is to honour it. Lukaku
stresses there is no desire to seek a move away and describes personal affection for the club as unchanged. At national team level, Belgium has still selected Lukaku for the World Cup, despite the current injury and lack of recent competitive minutes.
| Player | Club | Joined | Contract end | 2025-26 Serie A appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romelu Lukaku | Napoli | August 2024 | June 2027 | 5 (substitute) |
Lukaku’s last appearance for Belgium came in a World Cup qualifier against Wales in June last year. Yet national team coaches still count on the forward for the next tournament. Belgium’s staff accept the recent hamstring troubles but believe continued rehabilitation should allow contributions during the World Cup campaign.
Relations at club level were strained in April under then head coach Antonio Conte. Conte explained frustration that Lukaku visited the training centre in order to obtain approval to continue recovery work in Belgium, but did not hold a direct conversation. Conte later departed Napoli at the end of the season and is linked with the vacant Italy position.
Lukaku later clarified reasons for staying in Belgium and criticised local coverage. "I was a bit irritated by the way some Italian media presented the thing," Lukaku told RTBF of his decision to remain in Belgium. "They were exaggerated. I didn't come to Belgium on holiday; I wanted to return to being the best version of myself as quickly as possible. It's [his relationship with the club] all good now. You understand why I acted that way. My love for the club remains intact. I have one year left in my contract. I'm a Napoli player; I'm not the type of player who asks to leave. "Lukaku now continues rehabilitation with Belgium’s medical staff while maintaining that relationship with Napoli is stable. The forward’s stance points towards another season in Serie A, under a different coach, while aiming to regain form for both Napoli and Belgium after an interrupted second campaign.
