In a surprising turn of events, Romelu Lukaku has decided to decline his call-up to the Belgian national team for their upcoming Nations League fixtures. This decision comes as a blow to Belgium, who are set to face Italy on October 10th and France on October 14th in crucial matches.
According to reports from the Belgian newspaper Le Soir (via Calciomercato), both Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne have chosen to sit out these international games. This decision is not permanent but specifically pertains to the upcoming international break.
The Napoli striker has already communicated his choice to Belgium’s head coach, Domenico Tedesco, and will not participate in the matches against Italy and France. It’s worth noting that Lukaku had already missed Belgium’s first two games in September, further postponing his return to national team duty.
This decision by the former Inter and Roma forward appears to be a calculated move to accelerate his integration into the Napoli squad. By remaining at Castel Volturno, Napoli’s training ground, Lukaku aims to improve his physical condition and familiarize himself with his new team’s tactics and playing style.
This move will allow Lukaku to work closely with Napoli’s coaching staff and his new teammates, potentially speeding up his adaptation to the team’s system. It also provides him with the opportunity to reach peak physical condition more quickly, making him available for selection for his new club in a timely manner.
