Lukaku Defends Decision to Stay in Belgium Amid Napoli Row
Romelu Lukaku explains his absence from Napoli training, citing ongoing physical issues and inflammation in his hip flexor muscle, as club considers disciplinary action.
“I could never turn my back on Napoli...”
Napoli is considering disciplinary action against Romelu Lukaku after he failed to show up for training, despite withdrawing from international duty with an injury. The club confirmed Lukaku didn't respond to the call to return to training, sparking threats of disciplinary action and leaving his immediate future uncertain.
Lukaku, who scored 14 goals last season to help Napoli win the Serie A title, has been struggling with fitness issues. He defended his decision to stay in Belgium for treatment, citing ongoing physical problems. Napoli, currently third in Serie A, faces AC Milan next.
Romelu Lukaku withdrew from Belgium's World Cup warm-up matches against the US and Mexico to focus on his fitness, sparking a row with his club Napoli. Italian media reported that Lukaku refused to return to Napoli's training ground for rehabilitation, prompting the club to threaten disciplinary action.
Lukaku, 32, has been struggling with injuries, including a hamstring issue, and has made only seven appearances for Napoli this season. He cited ongoing physical problems, including inflammation in his hip flexor muscle, as the reason for staying in Belgium for treatment.
Napoli released a statement saying Lukaku didn't respond to their call to return to training, and they're considering disciplinary action, including determining whether he'll continue training with the team.
“Napoli can confirm that Romelu Lukaku did not respond to today's call to return to training,” Napoli said in a statement.
“The club reserves the right to consider taking the appropriate disciplinary action, as well as to determine whether the player will continue to train with the team for an indefinite period.”
Romelu Lukaku's season has been a struggle with fitness issues, despite scoring goals last season to lead Napoli to the Serie A title. He's been sidelined for most of the season, missing the first half due to a hamstring injury, and has only managed one league goal in five substitute appearances since returning in January.
Lukaku's current situation with Napoli is tense, with the club considering disciplinary action after he failed to show up for training, citing ongoing physical problems and inflammation in his hip flexor muscle. He defended his decision to stay in Belgium for treatment, saying he's committed to Napoli and wants to help the team win when he's fit.
“I could never turn my back on Napoli, never. There's nothing more I would love to do than play and win (with) my team. But right now I have to make sure I am clinically a 100%,” Lukaku said, explaining that he's dealing with inflammation and fluid in his hip flexor muscle.
“The truth is the last few weeks I wasn't feeling right physically and I had it checked out while I was in Belgium and it showed that there was an inflammation and liquid on my hip flexor muscle next to my scar tissue,” Lukaku said on Monday.
“Since it is the second problem I had since coming back early November, I chose to do the rehab in Belgium so I can help when called upon.”
🚨⚠️ BREAKING: Romelu Lukaku did NOT answer to Napoli’s call up to be back for training today.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 31, 2026
“The club’s considering how to act with disciplinary measures, evaluating also to exclude Romelu Lukaku from the squad”, Napoli statement confirms. 🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/barKcQCVEV
He added, “I could never turn my back on Napoli, never. There's nothing more I would love to do than play and win (with) my team. But right now I have to make sure I am clinically a 100%.”
Napoli is currently third in Serie A, trailing leaders Inter Milan by seven points. They're set to host second-placed AC Milan on Monday, a crucial match for their title hopes.
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