Romelu Lukaku has had one of the most successful international careers in modern football. While his club career has often divided opinion, his performances for Belgium have been remarkably consistent, establishing him as one of the most prolific goal scorers in international football history.
This summer’s international tournament will determine Romelu Lukaku’s playing future. A severe hamstring injury limited the 33-year-old to just seven substitute appearances for Napoli in 2025-26, and he only scored once in Serie A.
A difficult situation was exacerbated by a disagreement between the player and his club over where Lukaku chose to recover from a groin injury. The striker spent the final two months of the Serie A season in his home country and is unlikely to play for Napoli again.
As a result, Lukaku will need a successful summer that could lead to a move away from Naples. Lukaku made his senior debut for Belgium in 2010, when he was 17 years old. Despite failing to score in his first few appearances, he quickly became the national team’s first-choice striker as Belgium’s Golden Generation took shape.
His first international goal came against Russia in 2011, and since then, his scoring rate has skyrocketed. Lukaku has gone on to be far and away Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer.
For more than a decade, his combination of power, movement, and clinical finishing has kept him at the center of Belgium’s attack. Lukaku made his World Cup debut in Brazil in 2014. He mostly served as a substitute until coming off the bench in the round of 16 against the United States.
He had a great extra-time performance that changed the game, scoring one goal and assisting to help Belgium win 2-1 and advance to the quarterfinals. 2018 in Russia was arguably his best international tournament.
He scored two goals against Panama and two goals against Tunisia. Although he did not score again, his famous dummy for Nacer Chadli’s winning goal against Japan was one of the tournament’s most memorable moments. Belgium defeated Brazil in the quarterfinals but lost to eventual champions France in the semi-finals.
They defeated England to finish third, their best finish in World Cup history. Belgium’s performance at the 2022 World Cup was disappointing. Lukaku missed much of it due to injury and came on as a substitute against Croatia, missing several excellent opportunities in a 0-0 draw that eliminated Belgium from the group stage.
Despite the painful ending, his overall international record remained impressive. Under coach Rudi Garcia, Lukaku, who is now one of Belgium’s senior leaders, was frequently used as an impact substitute.
He scored against the United States in the Round of 16, becoming the first player to score as a substitute in four consecutive World Cup games, as Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals.
As a new era dawns, the Golden Generation’s young upstart striker has matured into an experienced veteran. Despite being a member of what is arguably Belgium’s greatest generation, Lukaku has never won a major international trophy. However, his individual accomplishments are extraordinary.
Lukaku needs to have a successful 2026 World Cup. But can he perform to his full potential after so many have written him off? And what is even considered success for this group?
