Romelu Lukaku, the prolific striker currently playing for Napoli, revealed that he seriously considered quitting international duty with Belgium after their disappointing exit from Euro 2024.
The Red Devils were knocked out by France in the last-16 stage, which left Lukaku and many of his teammates feeling frustrated and disillusioned.
Lukaku’s Emotional Decision After Euro 2024
Having been a key player for Belgium for over a decade, Lukaku admitted that the loss to France hit him hard.
Speaking ahead of Belgium’s Nations League play-off matches against Ukraine, he shared that he even spoke to his longtime teammate Jan Vertonghen about his frustrations, confessing that he wasn’t sure he could continue representing his country.
“I thought about stopping after the Euro and the loss against France,” Lukaku said.
“I was very frustrated and told Jan that I wasn’t feeling it anymore.
Too much had happened too quickly. But I couldn’t abandon my country.”
Tedesco’s Departure and the Tensions Within the Belgian Squad
The Belgium squad’s struggles in Euro 2024 weren’t just about their early exit.
The team had been under the management of Domenico Tedesco, who had taken over in February 2023.
However, his tenure came to an end shortly after the tournament, with his approach reportedly alienating some key players, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who refused to play under him after a dispute over the captaincy.
Lukaku acknowledged the difficulty of dealing with the atmosphere in the squad following the tournament.
“The atmosphere was quite toxic, and the results were not there,” he admitted. “I don’t react well to defeat, but that has always been my strength too.”
A New Era Under Rudi Garcia
After Tedesco’s departure, Rudi Garcia was appointed as the new head coach of Belgium, signaling the start of a new era for the national team.
Lukaku, who has been a consistent figure in the Belgian squad, also opened up about his struggles during the tournament and his subsequent need to regroup.
“During tournaments, I focus entirely on the team. Afterward, it was difficult to digest the Euros,” he explained. “Maybe I need to open up a little more.”
Courtois’ Return and New Leadership Dynamic
In another significant development, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a dramatic return to the Belgian squad under Garcia, following a nearly two-year absence due to his fallout with Tedesco.
Courtois, 32, held a private meeting with his teammates to clear the air ahead of his return to international duty.
His inclusion in Garcia’s squad, announced on Friday, marks a new chapter for Belgium as they aim to rebuild and push forward under new leadership.