Romelu Lukaku about the future (with De Bruyne) at Napoli and return to Anderlecht: “will be at a intersection in 2027”
The present is in Napoli, the future is in Anderlecht. Romelu Lukaku (32) explained his career planning in an extensive conversation. He respects his contract with Napoli, where he can welcome Kevin De Bruyne to his great joy. And then a return to the club of his heart awaits. But not to bulge.
“I talk to the media once a year, then everyone is satisfied.”
Very satisfied, even. Because if Romelu Lukaku gives an interview, the record shooter always has something fascinating to say.
Even now.
Big Rom spoke about present and future in the office of his lawyer Sébastien Ledure.
Because after the title party with Napoli – “our countryman -” the most intense I have ever experienced ” – already has great prospects. About a month ago it was announced that Kevin De Bruyne will be his teammate from next season.
The link between Lukaku and his buddy at the Red Devils was soon made when the news became known. “But whether I have made him come to Naples? No,” is the record striker clearly in an extensive interview with Sporza.
Yet there was contact between the two tenors. “I had one conversation with him. Two weeks before we played champions, I explained to him for 45 minutes about how and what, and then we sent several messages and we also spoke with the national team.”
With your qualities you can make us better, I told Kevin. You are the player we miss.
Romelu Lukaku
About what, then? “Then I said to him: Come! There is a structure on the field here and you will know perfectly what to do. With your qualities you can make us better, I told him. He is the player we miss.”
“Look, he can do everything a bit and will really help us,” he dreams away while looking at the mural behind him.
It is no coincidence that you can see the image of Lukaku and KDB that do their special celebration with the Red Devils: to point hands together and together.
“Whether we will see that every week? Hopefully, hey,” he laughs. “In the preparation we will have to come together, put our thoughts on zero and go full gas. Also in the Champions League. Because we also want to be competitive there.
Intersection
A particularly relaxed Lukaku shares his vision dressed in a purple shirt with white tones. A (little) subtle hint?
Lukaku has preached it several times in recent years: one day he returns to Anderlecht, the club that has launched him. As a player.
“I don’t want to return at a late age, but I have a 3 -year contract (up to and including June 2027) with Napoli and my plan is to take out that contract. I told them, they know that at Naples.”
“But then you are with the question,” Lukaku explains. “Can I continue to play at the highest level? Or do I have to go for family reasons and to help my club and to perform here at the highest level?”
“This way I can show the next generation how to do it. Without saying too much:” Me, me, “just lead through actions and winning. That is the intersection where I will be.”
“Now I don’t think about it,” Lukaku indicates where his priority is currently. “That is Naples, the Champions League and then the World Cup in 2026.”
“And the following year I want to do well again. But then I have to sit together with my family and think what I will do.”
40 years
Lukaku will be 34 years old at that time. Playing football and performing up to the age of 40 like Cristiano Ronaldo, is that a scenario that haunts his head? “Actually,” he laughs after a break.
“I love the game too much. That is why I have all those devices at my home. If I train, I can keep playing.”
“If you have the passion and you take good care of you, you can keep playing for a long time. There will come a moment when the time catches up, but I do my thing,” says Lukaku, while he knocks his happiness.
So Lukaku will someday put on the Anderlecht shirt again, but does he also want to play a role in the policy of Purple-White?
The goalgetter laughs and wimps the question gently: “I just want to focus on football. First Napoli and then we see.”
Later also read articles about how Lukaku looks at the current state of affairs at the Red Devils, talks about his sons and … his favorite frying order reveals.
