Brussels, Belgium – Belgium’s all-time top scorer Romelu Lukaku has admitted that he contemplated retiring from international football following the national team’s disappointing European Championship campaign last year.
However, the 31-year-old striker has decided to continue playing for Belgium after being convinced by the new coaching staff’s vision.
Lukaku, who has scored 85 goals in 120 appearances for the Red Devils, has also been named co-captain of the team alongside Kevin De Bruyne by new head coach Rudi Garcia.
He will wear the captain’s armband when Belgium faces Ukraine on Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League playoff in Murcia, Spain.
Frustration After Euro 2024 Exit
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the crucial fixture, Lukaku revealed that Belgium’s exit from Euro 2024 at the hands of France had left him deeply disillusioned.
“I’ll be honest, after the defeat against France, I was very disappointed,” he admitted. “I told Jan Vertonghen that I didn’t feel any more connection with the national team.”
Belgium, considered one of Europe’s top footballing nations, was eliminated in the Round of 16 after an underwhelming tournament in Germany.
Their struggles continued later in the year when they failed to secure a top-two finish in their Nations League group, missing out on automatic qualification for the next round.
Concerns Over Team Atmosphere
Lukaku hinted at internal issues within the squad that contributed to the team’s underperformance but refrained from going into details.
“There were a lot of things I couldn’t accept during the Euros, including the atmosphere (in the squad). But I’ll tell you about it another day,” he said.
The veteran forward opted out of Belgium’s Nations League matches in September and October as he reconsidered his international future.
However, a discussion with the Belgian Football Association’s new technical director, Vincent Mannaert, helped change his mind.
A Renewed Commitment
Mannaert, who was appointed earlier this year, played a key role in persuading Lukaku to continue representing Belgium.
“He presented me with a new vision. Then I realised that I couldn’t stop like that. I had good conversations with the coach (Garcia), after which I was sure that I wanted to bring Belgium back to the top,” Lukaku explained.
His decision comes as Belgium looks to rebuild following the departures of several senior players and the appointment of Garcia as head coach. The former Napoli and Lyon boss has been tasked with reviving the team’s fortunes and leading them to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Looking Ahead to the Future
Lukaku emphasized the importance of moving forward and restoring Belgium’s winning mentality.
“The most important thing now is to focus on tomorrow. We want to show our winning mentality on the pitch again. We have to show our supporters that we are proud to wear the shirt,” he said.
Belgium will now face Ukraine in a two-legged playoff, hoping to secure a place in the next phase of the Nations League. For Lukaku, it is an opportunity to lead by example and ensure that the Red Devils return to the top of European football.
