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VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 28, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Romelu Lukaku insists he wants to remain at Napoli for the last year of his contract: ‘My love for the club remains intact.’
Belgium international Lukaku wants to remain at Napoli until the summer of 2027, when his contract at the Stadio Maradona expires.
Lukaku reveals he wants to stay at Napoli
Lukaku gave an interview to RTBF, as quoted byTMW, explaining his view on his decision to remain in Belgium during the international break in March, which irritated the club.
Lukaku remained in his native country without the club’s consent to train separately, hoping to regain full fitness for the final part of the campaign, including the World Cup with Belgium.
“I was a bit irritated by the way some Italian media presented the thing,” Lukaku said.
“They were exaggerated. I didn’t come to Belgium on holiday; I wanted to return to being the best version of myself as quickly as possible.”
Lukaku was frozen out of the team and fined by the club, but was later given permission to continue training in Belgium andreturned to Naples three weeks ago.
“It’s all good now,” Lukaku explained.
“You understand why I acted that way. My love for the club remains intact. I have one year left in my contract. I’m a Napoli player, I’m not the type of player who asks to leave.”
Lukaku is part of the Belgium squad for the 2026 World Cup.
“I feel increasingly fit. I’m in better shape than before the 2022 World Cup. At that time, I shouldn’t have gone to Qatar,” he admitted.
The experienced striker’s 2025-26 season was marred by a serious pre-season muscle injury, so he played only 64 minutes with the Partenopei, scoring one goal in seven appearances.
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
