Napoli say they are considering taking “disciplinary action” against Romelu Lukaku after he failed to show up for training.
A statement from the Italian club on Tuesday said such action may include him being excluded from the squad. A day earlier, Lukaku had said on Instagram that he was choosing to rehab from an injury in his native Belgium, adding that this season “has been hard” due to a serious hamstring issue sustained last summer and the death of his father in September.
The 32-year-old withdrew from Belgium’s squad for their international friendlies last Tuesday. “Romelu has chosen to focus on training to further optimize his physical condition,” the Belgian FA (KBVB) said on X. “The KBVB respects his decision and wishes him the best of luck.”
Reports in the Italian media then suggested that the forward had chosen to remain in Belgium instead of returning to Naples.
Lukaku addressed the situation with an Instagram story, via beIN Sports, on Monday, saying: “I know there has been a lot of noise over the last few days about my situation and it is important to clarify everything.
“The truth is that in recent weeks I didn’t feel well physically, I underwent some checks while I was in Belgium, and it turned out there was inflammation and fluid in the iliopsoas muscle, near the scar tissue.
“It is the second problem I have had since I returned at the beginning of November. I chose to do the rehabilitation in Belgium so that I can be ready when called upon. I could never turn my back on Napoli, never.
“There is nothing I would want more than to play and make my team win, but right now I have to make sure I am clinically 100 per cent, because lately I wasn’t, and this also weighed on me mentally.”
Napoli’s statement on Tuesday said Lukaku had not responded to a request to return to training. The Athletic has reached out to Lukaku’s representatives for further comment.
Lukaku has missed the majority of the season with the hamstring injury he sustained during a pre-season friendly in August. He returned to action in January, but has been limited to making just seven appearances this season, all off the bench.
After scoring his first goal of the season, a 96th-minute winner against Hellas Verona on February 28, he emotionally celebrated by pointing to the sky while in tears, dedicating the goal to his father.
Lukaku joined Napoli in a deal with an initial €30million (£25.2m) transfer fee in the summer of 2024. He signed a three-year contract that is set to expire in the summer of 2027.
In his first season, he scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists as he helped Napoli win the Serie A title. This term, Antonio Conte’s team are third in the league, nine points behind leaders Inter. They are next in action against second-place Milan on April 6.