No Way Back for Romelu? Lukaku Banished from Napoli Squad Over Injury Debacle

The relationship between Napoli and Romelu Lukaku has reached a dramatic breaking point.

According to reports from La Repubblica, the Belgian striker is set to be excluded from the first-team squad for the remainder of the 2025/26 Serie A campaign, effectively ending his season prematurely following a series of disciplinary and medical disputes.

What began as a high-profile reunion with Antonio Conte has descended into a “cold war” between the player and the club’s hierarchy at Castel Volturno.

The Belgian Standoff: Unauthorised Absence and Injury Management

The core of the issue stems from Lukaku’s decision to remain in Belgium following the recent international break.

While Napoli expected the 32-year-old to return to Italy for assessment by the club’s medical staff, Lukaku opted to continue an independent recovery program in Antwerp to treat a hip inflammation.

Napoli Sporting Director Giovanni Manna did not hide the club’s frustration, stating prior to the recent victory over AC Milan: “Romelu went to Belgium, had a slight setback, and preferred to stay there to train contrary to what we asked. There will be consequences.”

The Partenopei hierarchy views this move as a breach of protocol and a lack of respect for the group’s integrity.

Despite Lukaku’s camp maintaining that the club was kept informed of his daily progress, the decision to seek independent treatment rather than reporting to Naples has proven to be the final straw.

A Disastrous Campaign for the €30m Man

This latest debacle caps off a nightmare season for the former Chelsea and Inter man.

Lukaku has been plagued by a severe hamstring injury for much of the year, limiting him to just a handful of appearances.

In a season where Napoli were desperate to retain their Serie A title, Lukaku has managed just one league goal in five appearances—a far cry from the impact expected of a striker earning over €7m per year.

His absence has left Antonio Conte in a difficult position.

Conte fought hard to bring Lukaku to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in August 2024, but the tactical disruption caused by the Belgian’s persistent unavailability has forced the manager to look elsewhere.

Summer Exit Looms as Fenerbahçe Circles

With a face-to-face meeting scheduled for Monday, April 20, the consensus in Italy is that the outcome is a foregone conclusion.

Lukaku is unlikely to wear the Napoli shirt again.

The club is now reportedly looking to offload his substantial wages in the summer transfer window.

Turkish giants Fenerbahçe have already been linked with a move for the striker, who still has a contract with Napoli until mid-2027.

Impact on Belgium’s 2026 World Cup Hopes

The timing of this “banishment” couldn’t be worse for the Belgian national team.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer faces the prospect of heading into the tournament without any match fitness.

For Napoli, the focus shifts to securing European football and a strong finish to the season without their marquee summer signing.

For Lukaku, this latest chapter in Italy looks set to end in a bitter and unceremonious exit.