Romelu Lukaku opens up about his past, present, and future in a recent interview. The Napoli striker told Corriere dello Sport: “Before working with Antonio Conte, I disliked playing with my back to goal. At Chelsea, he was very clear: ‘If you don’t improve in this area, you can’t play with me.’ No alternatives. I have to thank him because what was once my weakness has become a strength. I always aim to dominate; if I dominate, I score goals and help my teammates with their runs.”
“At Chelsea, along with Aubameyang and Ziyech, I was out of the project. We were made to change in the youth team dressing room. We waited for weeks, giving up several options. Last summer, I knew I was coming to Napoli. This is business; the club decides they don’t want you anymore and dictates when and often where you end up. But if you want to leave for serious reasons, you don’t have the chance. They drag it out, they wear you down. Clubs have media connections and can easily put players in a difficult position, creating a false image. Believe me, I’ve seen things I never thought I’d see. One day, I want to explain all of this to younger players, clarifying who is working for them and who is against them.”
“Did something happen between me and Mourinho at Roma? Absolutely not. José is a winner; I’ve worked with him twice, first at Manchester and then at Roma. Something happened between him and someone else, and I didn’t want to get involved. I will never speak badly of José. At Roma, he didn’t have a top team, but he took them far. I always wish him the best, he’s doing fantastic things in Turkey too.”
“My weight? In England, they had the wrong perception. They thought I was lazy. I never reacted to attacks or criticism. I speak very little, I let things happen. I do my job and go home to my children. In Italy, the perception has completely changed. I’m seen as a hard worker. Now I’m better than before. At Inter, I was 101 kg, here at Napoli, 99 kg. But my ideal weight is 102 kg. 99, and I don’t know why. I never eat breakfast; I follow a strict diet.”
“Which defender has troubled me the most? Good duels. I’d say Hien. And Bremer, Bremer is a beast.”
“I never hated Inter, never. If anyone said anything, especially during that period, it wasn’t me. Have I heard from Lautaro? No. He’s an excellent player and a great guy, he deserves all the good things happening to him. He worked hard for this. For the league, a player like him is valuable; the stronger the players, the more prestigious Serie A becomes. Am I competing for the Scudetto with him? And with Atalanta and Juve, who are six points behind.”
“Have I decided to continue with the Belgian national team? I spoke with Rudi Garcia once for half an hour; he explained his plans in broad strokes. I’m waiting to meet him again. I never thought about leaving the national team, where a new generation is emerging. I won’t become a coach. I will finish at Anderlecht, my childhood team, I promised my son who plays there.”
“Here at Napoli, representing an entire people is truly stimulating. Everything reminds me of the team, of the passion. The kitman is a Napoli fan, the cook and the staff too. The energy that people transmit is incredible.”