Napoli threaten to punish Lukaku for absence in Belgium without returning to training By Bruna
4 min read
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Napoli confirmed that Romelu Lukaku did not respond to the call to return to training on Castel Volturno after the break for the national team games. The Italian club reserved the right to apply disciplinary measures to the Belgian striker, including the possibility of removal from the main squad for an indefinite period. The situation arose after the player chose to remain at Antuérpia to treat inflammation detected in his hip, even though Napoli expected his immediate presence at Itália.
The episode takes place at a delicate moment in the 2025-26 season, when Napoli seeks to maintain the fight for the Série A title. Antonio Conte counts on the center forward as an important player in the attack, despite the physical limitations that the Belgian faced throughout the campaign.
Lukaku explains decision to treat injury on Bélgica
The 32-year-old striker released a statement on social media to clarify his position. Ele reported that, in the previous weeks, he had not felt well physically and underwent tests on Bélgica, which identified inflammation and fluid accumulation in the hip flexor muscle, close to scar tissue from a previous injury.
Lukaku emphasized that this was the second complication since his return in November and justified the choice for rehabilitation in his home country to regain full condition. Ele reaffirmed his desire to play and win for Napoli, highlighting that he needs to be 100% physically to help the team.
The Belgian also mentioned his recent history of injuries, including the serious left thigh problem suffered in August 2025 during pre-season. Essa sequence of setbacks limited his participation in the current edition of Série A, causing him to only enter the field on a few occasions as a starter or substitute.
- Lukaku scored an important goal in February against Verona, his first in the competition in months.
- The player dedicated the goal to his father who died in September of the previous year.
- He expressed gratitude to Napoli and Antonio Conte for the opportunity to revitalize his career.
Reaction from Napoli and position of the sporting director
Giovanni Manna, the club’s sporting director, commented on the case in an interview with DAZN before the match against Milan. Ele explained that Lukaku traveled to fulfill commitments with the Belgian national team, had a small relapse and preferred to stay at Bélgica to train, contrary to the guidance of the Napoli.
Manna reinforced that the club would not prevent work with private doctors, but hoped to discuss the matter in person on Nápoles. The director made it clear that integrity and respect for the group are above all and warned that there will be consequences for the player’s decision.
Napoli issued an official statement confirming that Lukaku did not respond to the call to return to training. The note reserves the club the right to adopt appropriate disciplinary measures, without specifying deadlines or amounts of possible fines.
Context of the injury and the attacker’s gradual return
Lukaku suffered a serious muscle injury to the rectus femoris of his left thigh in the last pre-season friendly against Olympiacos, on August 14, 2025. Inicialmente, the expectation was for four months away, with a possible return on Supercopa Italiana.
The center forward only reappeared on January 25, 2026, entering the final minutes of the defeat to Juventus. In the following rounds, he acted mainly as a substitute, making few appearances until being called up for the Bélgica friendlies in March.
Real Associação Belga of Futebol announced on March 24 that Lukaku was cut from the national team by choice, to focus on improving his physical fitness. Napoli monitored the situation with the expectation that the player would immediately return to the training center at Castel Volturno.
Castmates express support for the Belgian
Matteo Politano, who scored the winning goal for Napoli against Milan, declared that there is no personal problem with Lukaku. The Italian striker informed that the group is in contact with the Belgian and considers the matter to be a matter between the player and the club’s management.
Leonardo Spinazzola asked for calm and understanding in the face of the episode. The full-back highlighted the difficult times experienced by Lukaku, including the loss of his father, and described his partner as a great sentimentalist despite his robust appearance.
The players on the squad expressed their desire for Lukaku to be reinstated as soon as possible. The team won 1-0 over Milan even without the center forward, taking second place in the Série A table.
Current situation and expected return
Napoli won the match against Milan at stadium Diego Armando Maradona and continues to fight for the top of the standings, seven points behind the leader Inter of Milão. Antonio Conte stated after the match that the team will fight until the end to defend the title won during the season previous.
Romelu Lukaku’s participation in the final stretch of the campaign remains uncertain while the disciplinary case is not resolved. The striker continues treatment at Bélgica and the club is awaiting a decision on his return to collective training.
The episode highlights the tension between the need for full physical recovery and the demand for collective discipline in a club competing for titles on multiple fronts.
