Romelu Lukaku opens up on his 'revenge' mission that led to Zlatan Ibrahimovic clash

Romelu Lukaku has claimed his glittering career is a “revenge” for his impoverished upbringing. And the former Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United striker admitted he was motivated to succeed because: “I don't want my children to relive what I went through.”

The Belgium striker revealed in 2018 that his mother Adolphine used to make milk last longer by adding water and how his family could not afford pay TV to watch the Champions League. Starting his career with Anderlecht aged 16, Lukaku has starred for top clubs in England and Italy and smashed his country’s goalscoring record.

And he won a second scudetto with Antonio Conte at Napoli last season after he scored in the last game of the season against Cagliari. “I am the man I wanted to become,” said Lukaku, now 32.

“I gave my whole family the opportunity to go to school and university. In the best moments of my career, they were always there at the stadium: my mum, my children, my brother (Jordan). On my phone there's my mum lifting the scudetto trophy.

“You see, it's a revenge. And even in suffering, as an adult, she always gave me a push: 'Remember where we come from.' Growing up, I often think about what I've been through and something clicks in me, it gives me energy: I don't want my children to relive what I went through.

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“Now they're doing well, they already speak three languages at the ages of three and seven. And I'm happy because in football too, I have everything: I'm in the right team, with the right coach, at the right club.”

What kind of dad is Lukaku? “Cuddly,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I hug them all the time; I love the touch. It's very difficult for me to be strict with them. I'm tougher with my mum, my girlfriend, and my brother.”

Lukaku’s strong family ties saw him clash with his former Manchester United team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic during a 2021 Coppa Italia tie. The Swede told the Belgian: “Call your mom, go do your voodoo rituals, you little ass.”

The taunt was referring to the claim by former Everton owner Farhad Moshiri - hotly denied by Lukaku - that he declined to renew his contract at Goodison Park after receiving a voodoo message from his mother. According to Ibrahimovic’s 2022 book, Adrenaline: My Untold Stories, Lukaku responded: “I’m going to put three bullets in your head.”

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Asked if that argument had now been resolved, the Belgian said: "It's not necessary. But I have respect for his career: he was a unique player."

His career has not been short of controversy. Lukaku’s second spell at Chelsea was cut short after he said he regretted leaving Inter Milan for £97.5million.

Then his last match back on loan at Inter was the 2023 Champions League defeat to Manchester City before he flirted with Juventus and ended up at Roma. This summer there has been no transfer speculation. "I focused on my family, without waiting for the agent's call,” he said.

He has a close relationship with Conte but played down his “very little” role in bringing fellow famous Belgian Kevin De Bruyne to Napoli. "Just two very simple calls,” he said. And can Lukaku still get better at the age of 32?

“Of course, we have the tools to always do better. I have a gym at home. [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Robert] Lewandowski, and Ibra are great, but my role model is Karim Benzema, who won the Ballon d'Or after turning 32. You have to look forward with the right mentality. LeBron James says so too.”

Never shy to hide his emotions, Lukaku cried after his scudetto-sealing goal in May. "Yes, I've lifted an incredible weight off my shoulders,” he admitted. “Winning once happens. Doing it twice means you're a winner. Now we start again, let's see what we can add to the trophy cabinet.”

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