Romelu Lukaku has opened up about his recent experiences with the Belgian national team, revealing the emotional toll of their disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign and his thoughts on stepping away from international duty.
Speaking on the “Friends of Sport” podcast, the Napoli striker discussed his absence from Belgium’s recent Nations League matches and his hopes for returning to the national team setup.
“I hope to rediscover the passion for playing for Belgium, to feel that fire burning again for the Red Devils,” Lukaku said. “The next World Cup is in two years and it seems so far away right now.”
The 31-year-old explained that the lack of success in major tournaments was a key factor in his decision to take a break from international football. “I really want to return to the national team with good feelings and take on a leadership role. But you can’t expect me to be happy if we don’t win. It’s the only thing missing for this group.”
Lukaku also opened up about the emotional aftermath of Belgium’s early exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he played through injury but was unable to make a significant impact.
“I wanted to be there for my country because the coach and the team needed me. It was the first time in 29 years that football really affected me. I’ve never thought about depression, but I cried every day for weeks. Even on vacation. Thierry Henry would call me three times a day. My mother and children were in Milan, but I had no energy. I needed to be alone for a while.”
The striker revealed he considered retiring from international football when new coach Domenico Tedesco took over. “When Tedesco arrived, I wanted to stop. But he told me he needed me. So I went home, talked to my family, and then decided to go. After the matches in Sweden and Germany, I still had doubts.”
Lukaku also commented on the ongoing situation with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, criticizing the Belgian Football Federation’s handling of the matter. “The Federation should have managed the situation better. In the first press conference, they should have said, ‘No questions about Thibaut and the case.’ The coach said what he had to say, but the Federation should have intervened. Now this issue is still dragging on. In what other country does this happen?”
