Tension grows as Napoli send ultimatum to Lukaku | OneFootball

Sky Sport Italia claims that Romelu Lukaku will be frozen out of the Napoli squad if he doesn’t return to the club’s training centre before next Tuesday, but according to Il Mattino, the striker is planning to remain in Belgium for at least another week.

Napoli star Lukaku refused to resume training with his club on Thursday, remaining in Belgium to continue his recovery and regain full fitness for the final part of the season.

According to Il Mattino, Belgian doctors have informed Lukaku that he’s nowhere near the fitness level required for the 2026 World Cup, so he decided to remain in Antwerp to continue individual training.

The Naples-based paper reports that Lukaku is aware that Rasmus Hojlund has become Napoli’s primary attacking option and fears he won’t improve his shape by working with the Partenopei during the break.

NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli reacts after missing a penalty in the penalty shootout during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

According to Il Mattino, Lukaku has even informed Napoli that he’d need from seven to ten days of individual work before returning to the club.

epa12016519 Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku warms up ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli, in Bologna, Italy, 07 April 2025. EPA-EFE/SERENA CAMPANINI

Sky Sport, however, says Napoli are unwilling to wait this much, so they will surely fine their striker and will even freeze him out of the team if he fails to return before next Tuesday.

Lukaku suffered a severe muscle injury in August and only returned to action in recent weeks. He has barely played 40 minutes in Serie A since his return, scoring one goal in seven appearances across all competitions.