Brussels, August 21, 2025 — The Europe Today: In his first public message since suffering a severe thigh injury, Belgium’s all-time top scorer, Romelu Lukaku, expressed his gratitude to fans and maintained a positive outlook for his recovery.
The 32-year-old striker sustained a high-grade injury to the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh during a pre-season friendly between Napoli and Olympiakos on 14 August.
Posting on Instagram, Lukaku conveyed his appreciation:
“Thanks to everyone for the messages these past few days. I really appreciate your support, guys. ‘Shit happens,’ and injuries are part of the game,” he wrote. “By God’s grace, I feel good and remain positive, no matter what. See you soon.”
This setback rules Lukaku out of Belgium’s upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein (4 September) and Kazakhstan (7 September). With four more qualifiers scheduled in October and November, his return to the national team remains uncertain.
