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Tag: Romelu Lukaku

  • Lukaku  nearly suffered  depression over Belgium’s 2022 World Cup early exit

    Lukaku  nearly suffered  depression over Belgium’s 2022 World Cup early exit

    Romelu Lukaku has opened up about his recent experiences with the Belgian national team, revealing the emotional toll of their disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign and his thoughts on stepping away from international duty.

    Speaking on the “Friends of Sport” podcast, the Napoli striker discussed his absence from Belgium’s recent Nations League matches and his hopes for returning to the national team setup.

     “I hope to rediscover the passion for playing for Belgium, to feel that fire burning again for the Red Devils,” Lukaku said. “The next World Cup is in two years and it seems so far away right now.”

    The 31-year-old explained that the lack of success in major tournaments was a key factor in his decision to take a break from international football.

    “I really want to return to the national team with good feelings and take on a leadership role. But you can’t expect me to be happy if we don’t win. It’s the only thing missing for this group.”

    Lukaku also opened up about the emotional aftermath of Belgium’s early exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he played through injury but was unable to make a significant impact.

    Read Also:  Mid-term scorecard: More knocks than kudos for Gusau-led NFF 

     “I wanted to be there for my country because the coach and the team needed me. It was the first time in 29 years that football really affected me. I’ve never thought about depression, but I cried every day for weeks. Even on vacation. Thierry Henry would call me three times a day. My mother and children were in Milan, but I had no energy. I needed to be alone for a while.”

    The striker revealed he considered retiring from international football when new coach Domenico Tedesco took over. “When Tedesco arrived, I wanted to stop. But he told me he needed me. So I went home, talked to my family, and then decided to go. After the matches in Sweden and Germany, I still had doubts.”

    Lukaku also commented on the ongoing situation with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, criticizing the Belgian Football Federation’s handling of the matter. “The Federation should have managed the situation better. In the first press conference, they should have said, ‘No questions about Thibaut and the case.’ The coach said what he had to say, but the Federation should have intervened. Now this issue is still dragging on. In what other country does this happen?”

  • Lukaku agrees three-year deal with Napoli

    Romelu Lukaku has agreed to a three-year deal with Napoli while Victor Osimhen is still with the team could indeed pose a risk for the Super Eagles star, Soccernet.ng reports.

    Osimhen has been linked with an exit from the Diego Maradona Stadium during the 2024 summer window. The new Napoli manager, Antonio Conte, has spotted the former Manchester United forward as his potential alternative.

    Conte, who has a history of favouring Lukaku as his main striker during their time together at Inter Milan, is known for building his attack around the Belgian forward’s physical presence and goal-scoring ability.

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    If Conte were to implement a similar strategy at Napoli, it could potentially reduce Osimhen’s playing time or shift his role within the team if he sticks to staying at the club.

    Given that Osimhen has been Napoli’s talisman, leading the line with his pace, power, and clinical finishing, the arrival of Lukaku could create competition for the central striker position.

    However, Osimhen’s impressive performances and status as a fan favourite might still see him retain a key role in the team, possibly leading to a tactical adjustment that accommodates both strikers.

  • Inter Milan reach agreement to sign Lukaku

    Inter Milan have reached an agreement with Manchester United to sign striker Romelu Lukaku for a fee that could rise to 74 million pounds

    Manchester United in July rejected Inter Milan’s 54 million pounds bid for Lukaku, who was fined by the club after missing training on Tuesday.

    Lukaku’s agent, Federico Pastorello, flew to London on Wednesday in an attempt to resolve Lukaku’s future.

    Later that evening, Pastorello posted a photo on Instagram of them on board a private jet with the caption: “Ready to take off. Direction Milano.”

    Read Also: ‘Lukaku’s time in England is over’

    United and Inter Milan had been some way apart in their valuation, with United wanting to recoup at least the 75 million pounds they paid Everton two years ago.

    Inter and fellow Serie A side Juventus have been competing to sign Lukaku, who did not play in pre-season because of an ankle injury.

    Inter manager Antonio Conte – who wanted to sign Lukaku when he was Chelsea boss – has said he remains his number one target, adding: “I consider him a player who could improve our team.”

    United have an interest in Juventus’ Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic, 33, who could reinforce their forward options.

    BBCSports

  • Race against Time! Inter Milan table £70million for  Lukaku

     

    Less than 24 hours to the close of transfer window in England, injury time hope appears to be rising for want away Manchester United ace Romelu Lukaku.

    Inter Milan have made a new £70million bid for Romelu Lukaku as the Manchester United striker edges closer to leaving Old Trafford.

    Inter’s bid, which includes bonuses, is closer to the £75m United are demanding after rejecting a £54m offer from the Italian club last month.

    It comes after a dramatic twist in the transfer saga this week when Lukaku turned up at training with his old club Anderlecht without United’s permission and was fined two weeks’ wages – a total of £400,000.

    The 26-year-old trained with Anderlecht for a third day with officials there believing he is on his way to London where his agent Federico Pastorello has been in talks with United and Inter in an effort to end the impasse.

    It’s understood that Lukaku’s camp are increasingly confident a deal can be done after Inter increased their bid. Although the transfer window in England closes at 5pm on Thursday, it will remain open in Italy until September 2.

    That gives all three parties plenty of time to reach agreement, but there is a general acceptance that the deal needs to be completed as soon as possible after Lukaku’s relationship with United broke down.

    He has angered the club by training with Anderlecht’s Under-18s the past two days, and was informed by email of the fine.

    Lukaku also upset his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and teammates at the weekend when he posted confidential stats from a sprint session to prove that he is one of the club’s quickest players.

    Lukaku was second only to Diogo Dalot, but the stats also showed that Luke Shaw finished last behind Juan Mata and Nemanja  Matic.

    Solskjaer told Lukaku to delete the post from his Twitter account and reminded him of his responsibilities.

  • Inter Milan dump Romelu Lukaku chase for Gareth Bale         

    Inter Milan have turned their attentions to Gareth Bale after failing to land Romelu Lukaku, reports in Italy have revealed. Over the weekend, it was stated by multiple outlets that Manchester United have rejected Inter’s €60million offer for Lukaku.

    Just two years after joining the Old Trafford giants, the 26-year-old is keen to move onto pastures new and Antonio Conte is keen to bring the striker to Serie A.

    The two clubs met for an International Champions Cup clash in Singapore on Saturday, but Lukaku watched from the sidelines due to his latest knock.

    On the eve of the match, Inter head coach Conte confirmed his desire to sign a player he missed out on as Chelsea boss in 2017.

    “I think frustrated is a big word,” he said in English when asked about the inability to complete a deal.

    “Lukaku is a united player and this is the reality. You know very well that I like this player, but also in the past when I was Chelsea’s coach and I tried to bring him to Chelsea.

    “But I repeat, today Lukaku is a player of United and this is the reality and this is the truth,” he said

    San Siro is however reportedly looking at other options with Real Madrid ace Gareth Bale top on the list. Inter have given Conte the go ahead and talks is said to be progressing to get the former Tottenham man to San Siro.

    Bale has scored 102 goals and provided 64 assists in six years at the Bernabeu, winning four major trophies including three Champions League titles.

     

     

  • Napoli to rival Inter Milan for Lukaku

    Napoli wants to beat Inter Milan to the signing of Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku this summer.

    Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday that the Red Devils are willing to sell the Belgian, but only if their £80million valuation is met.

    La Gazzetta dello Sport now claims that Napoli will make an ambitious bid to land Lukaku ahead of their Serie A rivals. The Italian newspaper says that Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti wants to pay around £62m for the former Everton star, which is well below the figure United are looking for.

    Read Also: Sanchez, Lukaku and Matic enjoy sunset in Dubai

    Lukaku is said to prefer a move to Inter over Napoli, with both clubs able to offer him Champions League football next season. The ex-Chelsea forward is keen to link up with new boss Antonio Conte at the San Siro as he plans a big summer overhaul of his squad.

    La Gazzetta dello Sport also claims that the Italian has been given the go-ahead to sign Roma striker Edin Dzeko and that he is in pole position to land Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella.

    If Conte gets the green light to sign Lukaku too, United will turn their attention to Frankfurt forward Sebastien Haller.

    The 24-year-old target man has been scouted by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s staff, although he is one of a number of attacking players on United’s radar.

  • Lukaku’s mother celebrates meeting Messi at old Trafford 

     

    You would imagine being the mother of a Premier League star would make you get used to superstardom.

    However it appears that even Romelu Lukaku’s mum can become a fan girl when confronted by Lionel Messi.

    A video has emerged of Adolphine Lukaku barely able to contain her excitement at meeting the Barcelona forward at Old Trafford this week

    Messi was part of the Barca side that earned a 1-0 away win over Manchester United in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night.

    Adolphine giggled like a little girl as she posed for a picture with the Argentine and then they shared a warm embrace.

    She muttered ‘Messi, Messi, Messi’ while shaking her head in disbelief as they hugged it out. Apparently being the mother of a player in the opponents camp has nothing to do with, she just got to be herself!

    The 31-year-old was below par and was left nursing a nose bleed and a bloody eye after taking an elbow in the face from Chris Smalling.

    Despite not having a super night his presence alone was more than enough to give some die-hard fans enough excitement.

    Some will say it cannot be called an off night after he placed the incredible pass that forced an own goal by Luke Shaw in the 12th minute.

    The night at old Trafford revolved around Messi who was the subject of discuss before, during and after the match but who had to return home with a broken nose.

    He will hope to be back to his best on Tuesday night when Barca hope to defend their lead at the Nou Camp. Wednesday night did not go without the usual comparison between Messi arch rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

    The Juventus forward also grabbed attention when he returned from injury to score away against Ajax in a match that eventually ended 1-1 thus handing Juventus an opportunity to carry the day in the return leg just as Messi and his teammates will be looking forward to finish the project at the Nou camp in the return leg.

  • Man Utd stars dazzle at UNICEF gala dinner on 20th anniversary

    Manchester United has had a lot to cheer recently on the pitch and that sentiment was matched off it on Tuesday night.

    The Red Devils held their annual event United for UNICEF Gala Dinner – which was made even more of a special occasion as it marked their 20th anniversary working together.

    Key personnel Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku were all present and looked suave as they walked on to the red carpet, and the night ended in success as it was revealed a huge £225,000 had been raised for the charity.

    The event, which is being held at Old Trafford, is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the club’s partnership with UNICEF – the longest running one of its kind between a football club and a global children’s organisation.

    During this time, the partnership has raised over £4million, helping to change the lives of millions of children worldwide.

    The club offered their supporters a rare opportunity to rub shoulders with their footballing heroes by putting tickets up for sale last month.

    The special gala event also includes a live auction with once-in-a-lifetime prizes to be won as well as a table raffle to win signed United memorabilia and live entertainment provided by Brits’ Critics Choice Award nominee Lewis Capaldi.

  • Sanchez, Lukaku and Matic enjoy sunset in Dubai

    Manchester United’s warm weather training camp in Dubai appears to have successfully restored a sense of camaraderie in the squad absent for much of the season.

    Interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has worked his magic over the last three weeks to heal the dressing room rifts that were the legacy of Jose Mourinho’s turbulent reign.

    With United winning all five matches played under Solskjaer so far, spirits have certainly been high during the week-long stay in the United Arab Emirates.

    United’s stars were afforded some downtime on their final night in Dubai, with Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic enjoying the sunset from their five-star resort.

    There were broad smiles for the camera as the squad prepared to fly home ahead of Sunday’s visit to Tottenham, far and away the toughest assignment of Solskjaer’s tenure to date.

    Tellingly, Sanchez captioned his Instagram post: ‘Family United’.

    United have defeated Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Bournemouth and Newcastle United in the Premier League, and Reading in the third round of the FA Cup, since Solskjaer arrived.

    In the process, they have scored 16 goals and looked far more recognisable as a United team than under Mourinho.

    By contrast, United had lost twice, drawn twice and won just once in the final five matches before Mourinho’s sacking.

  • Mourinho deserves respect for being ‘real’ – Lukaku

    Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku defended Jose Mourinho’s confrontational style of management, saying that the Portuguese deserves respect for not hiding his true feelings like several Premier League bosses.

    Mourinho has had strained relationships with some of his players at the club since taking charge in 2016.

    Most notably with record signing Paul Pogba, but Belgian Lukaku said he preferred the manager to be honest.

    “People need to appreciate that at least there are people who are real in this world like him.

    “Because most managers in the league, when they are not happy they try to find a way to seem happy,” Lukaku told the BBC.

    “You should respect that he wants to keep his personality and not shy away from confrontation. He wants us to improve. He’s a normal guy… he’s cool with everybody.”

    Lukaku suggested that players had to toughen up in the face of criticism and respond with better performances.

    “Sometimes footballers, we get soft. If I listen to players from back in the day and now, a manager cannot say what he wants to a player because you feel attacked,” he added.

    “But I don’t feel attacked, because that’s who I am – I am a tough man, but that doesn’t come from football, that comes from my background.

    “My relationship with him (Mourinho) is cool. He makes me laugh, he makes the players laugh, he’s a real family guy. He fights for his players, but he’s real.”

    United, who are 10th with six points from four matches, will look to end Watford’s perfect start to the campaign when they travel to Vicarage Road on Saturday.