Romelu Lukaku is reportedly facing significant consequences from Napoli, both financially and on the pitch, after deciding to remain in Belgium without the club’s authorization.
Lukaku’s choice to stay in Belgium following his withdrawal from the national team has angered the Serie A club. He plans to continue his rehabilitation and training in Antwerp at a specialized clinic, similar to where Kevin De Bruyne recovered from a high-degree muscle injury.
This defiance of club regulations is expected to result in a substantial fine for the former Inter, Roma, and Chelsea striker, who was scheduled to return to Napoli’s training center today. While discussions between Lukaku’s representatives and the club are ongoing, reports indicate he is unwilling to return to Naples before next week.
Coach Antonio Conte is also currently on a break, but with the club’s full agreement, leaving assistant Cristian Stellini in charge of training sessions. Lukaku’s unauthorized absence has equally displeased both the club and Conte. Consequently, the Belgian forward faces a challenging road ahead to secure consistent playing time during the remainder of the season.
Having only recently returned from a severe muscle injury sustained in August, Lukaku has played sparingly, accumulating less than 60 minutes across several competitions and scoring just one goal. His current decision is anticipated to further restrict his playing opportunities, potentially endangering his spot in Belgium’s World Cup squad.