Lukaku: ‘The worst year of my life, not true when Napoli said I was unfit’

Lukaku: ‘The worst year of my life, not true when Napoli said I was unfit’ Romelu Lukaku admits 2025 was ‘the worst of my life’ and claims Napoli ‘said I wasn’t fit to boycott me, but it was not true’ ahead of his move to Fenerbahce. The striker barely played last term after suffering a serious thigh injury in an August 2025 friendly match against Olympiacos. When he did recover, there were relapses and then arguments, as he insisted on returning to Belgium for treatment rather than continuing with the Napoli staff. On top of all that, his father died in September 2025 , and his family was ‘extorted’ over the return of the body in time for the funeral. Lukaku nightmare end to Napoli career CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli lies on the pitch after being injured during the pre-season friendly match between Napoli and Olympiacos at Stadio Teofilo Patini on August 14, 2025 in Castel di Sangro, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images) “It was the worst year of my life,” confessed Lukaku to Het Laatste Nieuws in Belgium. “I chose to leave Napoli because I heard things and decisions were already being made… that’s it. If that was the case, then I was better off leaving. “The claim that I was not fit was simply not true. They probably said that in Italy to boycott me, but I am 100 per cent match fit.” Lukaku did feature largely as a substitute for Belgium at the 2026 World Cup, but seemed to improve his fitness as the tournament wore on. RIJEKA, CROATIA – JUNE 02: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the international friendly match between Croatia and Belgium at Stadion HNK Rijeka on June 02, 2026 in Rijeka, Croatia. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images) He then made the transfer to Fenerbahce for a reported fee of €6m plus add-ons, and made his debut for 10 minutes against Olympique Lyonnais. “It is a new experience, but at a good level. I need motivation, so this is the best step for me, I want to keep playing as competitively as possible. I am in a strong league, challenging for trophies, maybe even playing in the Champions League.” Lukaku is 33 years old and will be 35 by the time his contract with Fenerbahce runs down, assuming the club activates the option to extend next summer. He already has his future planned out, though. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 01: Romelu Lukaku #9 of Belgium reacts after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) “Hopefully, I can see out those two years, and afterwards I will return home,” added Lukaku. “I will still be fit by then, definitely. I’ve always said that I want to continue playing until 2030, and that means with Belgium too. But after that, it’s Game Over! NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 11: Romelu Lukaku (2ndR) of Napoli celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and Genoa at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 11, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) “Look, there are many players who can keep going until they are 40. If you listen to people’s opinions all the time, you become unhappy. I take good care of myself and I am back now,” concluded the centre-forward.