The ultimatum received by Romelu Lukaku » If he does not show up until Tuesday, the striker risks exclusion from the team!
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Friday, March 27, 2026 7:47 p.m. / Updated Friday, March 27, 2026 8:09 p.m.
Napoli are not holding talks with Romelu Lukaku, summoning him to return from Antwerp until next Tuesday, the date set by the Italian champions for the resumption of training. If the Belgian striker does not show up, he will no longer be part of Antonio Conte's squad and will have to prepare separately.
Tensions arose after the 32-year-old goalscorer chose to stay in Belgium to train with the national team instead of joining his teammates at Castel Volturno.
“For the management of the Italian club, Romelu Lukaku's attitude represents a violation of internal rules, which will not be tolerated regardless of the name of the culprit”, writes Gazzetta dello Sport.
64of minutes played by Romelu Lukaku (combined from seven games) this season at Napoli, scoring one goal
Napoli did not consider a fine, the club considering it as an insufficient measure for a player with an annual salary of 8.5 million euros. The issue for the Italian champions is respect for the club's principles and regulations, so the striker's season could be over, although he has just returned from a long injury layoff.
“Lukaku's agent to hold further talks with Napoli's sporting director in bid to defuse row”
Antonio Conte lost his favorite striker, Romelu Lukaku, for six months this season / Photo: Imago
The pink daily reveals that efforts are being made to resolve the impasse: “Pastorello, Lukaku's agent, is scheduled to have another discussion with Manna, Napoli's sporting director, in an attempt to find a solution and avoid the situation reaching a point of no return.
The objective is to alleviate tensions, not only to not spoil the atmosphere at the end of the championship, but also to protect the economic value that the player represents for the club”. His market share on Transfermarkt.com is 12 million euros.
Lukaku will miss the next match against AC Milan in the round of 31 anyway and is unlikely to start again, taking Rasmus Hojlund out of the first team. The player with 124 matches and 89 goals in the national team hopes to get a place in the World Cup squad.
Belgium will play two friendlies in the USA: on Saturday, against the American national team, in Atlanta, then on April 1, against Mexico, in Chicago.
