Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Romelu Lukaku
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Romelu Lukaku made an impact.
Romelu Lukaku is a Belgian professional footballer renowned as a striker for Serie A club Napoli and the Belgium national team. A prolific goalscorer, he holds the distinction of being Belgium's all-time highest goalscorer. He's widely regarded as one of the premier strikers globally, known for his physical prowess, goal-scoring ability, and contributions to both club and country.
1949: Most Inter Away Goals in a Season
On 25 July 2020, Lukaku became the first Inter player since István Nyers in the 1949–50 season to score 15 away goals in a Serie A season.
October 1997: Inter's League Win at Stadio San Paolo
In 1997, Inter got their first league win at Stadio San Paolo since October 1997. On 6 January 2020, Lukaku began the new year by scoring a brace in a 3–1 win against Napoli.
1997: Matches Ronaldo's Goal Record
In the 2019–20 season, Lukaku equalled Ronaldo's record in 1997–98 season, by scoring 34 goals in all competitions.
2004: Joined Lierse
In 2004, Lukaku played for Lierse until 2006, scoring 121 goals in 68 matches.
2004: Equals Shearer's Europa League Record
On 5 August 2020, Lukaku had also scored for the eighth consecutive Europa League match, equalling the all-time record set by Alan Shearer in 2004–05.
2006: Anderlecht Purchased Lukaku
In 2006, Anderlecht purchased Lukaku and 12 other youth players from Lierse after Lierse were relegated. He scored 131 goals in 93 matches as a youth player for Anderlecht.
May 2009: Signed Professional Contract with Anderlecht
On May 13, 2009, after turning 16, Lukaku signed a professional contract with Anderlecht lasting until 2012.
August 2009: First Goal for Anderlecht
On August 28, 2009, Lukaku scored his first goal at senior level against Zulte Waregem.
2009: Inter Wins Serie A
Inter won the 2020–21 Serie A for the first time since the 2009–10 season.
February 2010: Belgium senior squad selection
In February 2010, Lukaku was named in the Belgium senior squad for the first time for a friendly against Croatia.
November 2010: First international goals
In November 2010, Lukaku scored his first two international goals in a friendly against Russia.
2010: Lukaku's International Debut
In 2010, Lukaku made his senior international debut for Belgium.
August 2011: Joined Chelsea
In August 2011, Lukaku joined Chelsea on a five-year contract for a fee reported to be around €12 million (£10 million).
2011: Lukaku Joined Chelsea
In 2011, Lukaku joined Chelsea for £10 million (€12 million) but was later loaned out due to limited playing time.
2011: Inter Reaches Europa League Quarter-Finals
On 5 August 2020, Lukaku scored in a 2–0 win over Getafe in the Europa League, helping his side reach the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time since 2011.
May 2012: First Premier League Start
On May 13, 2012, Lukaku had his first Premier League start against Blackburn Rovers, providing an assist. He also was part of the team that won the UEFA Champions League on May 19th, but did not feel that he deserved to hold the trophy.
August 2012: Loan to West Bromwich Albion
On August 10, 2012, Lukaku joined West Bromwich Albion on a season-long loan deal.
August 2012: Goal against Netherlands
On August 15, 2012, Lukaku scored his first goal in almost two years for the national team, netting the winner in a 4–2 friendly victory over rivals the Netherlands.
2012: Loan to West Brom
In 2012 Lukaku was loaned to West Brom where he outscored all his Chelsea teammates in the Premier League.
2012: Friendly versus Netherlands
In 2012, Lukaku played in a friendly versus Netherlands
2012: Contract End with Anderlecht
In 2012, Lukaku's contract with Anderlecht ended.
January 2013: Multi-Goal Game in Premier League
In January 2013, Lukaku had his first multi-goal game in the Premier League, giving West Brom a 2–0 lead against Reading.
September 2013: Loan to Everton
In September 2013, Lukaku joined Everton on a season-long loan and scored the winning goal in his debut against West Ham United.
October 2013: World Cup qualification
In October 2013, Lukaku scored two goals as Belgium defeated Croatia 2–1, securing a place in the World Cup finals.
2013: Hat-Trick Against Manchester United
On May 19, 2013, Lukaku scored a perfect hat-trick against Manchester United, resulting in a 5-5 draw.
March 2014: Return From Injury
In March 2014, Lukaku returned from an ankle injury, scoring the only goal in a match against West Ham.
May 2014: Nullified Hat Trick vs. Luxembourg
In May 2014, Lukaku netted a hat trick in a 5-1 win against Luxembourg, though FIFA initially did not count this match due to excessive substitutions.
May 2014: World Cup squad and hat-trick
In May 2014, Lukaku was named in Belgium's squad for the 2014 World Cup and scored his first international hat-trick in a friendly against Luxembourg.
July 2014: Permanent Contract with Everton
In July 2014, Lukaku signed a five-year contract with Everton for a club-record fee of £28 million.
2014: Lukaku Signed with Everton
In 2014, Lukaku signed with Everton for a club-record transfer fee of £28 million (€32 million).
February 2015: Hat-Trick Against Young Boys
In February 2015, Lukaku scored his first hat-trick in a 4–1 win for Everton against Young Boys in the UEFA Europa League. He also became the tournament's joint highest scorer.
August 2015: Scored Double Against Southampton
On August 15, 2015, Lukaku scored a first-half double in Everton's 3–0 win at Southampton.
February 2016: Scored 20th Goal of the Season
In February 2016, Lukaku scored his 20th goal of the season in a 3–0 victory at Stoke City, becoming the first Everton player since Graeme Sharp to score at least twenty goals in all competitions in consecutive seasons.
March 2016: Goal against Portugal
On March 29, 2016, Lukaku scored a goal in a 2–1 loss against Portugal, assisted by his brother.
September 2016: Scores Hat-Trick Against Sunderland
On 12 September 2016, Lukaku scored his first goals of the 2016–17 season with all three goals in a 3–0 victory against Sunderland. His goals were scored in 11 minutes and 37 seconds, making it the 12th-fastest hat-trick in Premier League history.
2016: Colin Kaepernick Protests
In 2016, American football player Colin Kaepernick inspired Lukaku's actions by kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality.
2016: Inter Transfers to Europa League
On 27 November 2019, Lukaku scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for Inter, in a 3–1 away win against Slavia Prague in the group stage. In the final match at home against Barcelona, Lukaku scored his side's only goal in a 2–1 defeat in 2016, meaning that Inter transferred to Europa League for the second season in a row.
February 2017: Scores Four Goals Against Bournemouth
On 4 February 2017, Lukaku scored four goals against Bournemouth in a 6–3 victory. It was also the 300th hat-trick scored in the Premier League. Then on 25 February 2017, he equalled Duncan Ferguson's club record for Premier League goals.
March 2017: Turns Down Contract Amidst Transfer Rumors
In March 2017, Lukaku turned down a new five-year contract amidst rumors of a return to Chelsea. In an interview, he questioned the club's ambition to make big transfers and chase Champions League qualification, offending his manager Ronald Koeman.
April 2017: Named in PFA Team of the Year
On 15 April 2017, Lukaku became the first Everton player since Bob Latchford to score 25 goals in two consecutive seasons in all competitions, and the first player since the legendary Dixie Dean to score in nine consecutive matches at Goodison Park. On 20 April 2017, Lukaku was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the first time.
July 2017: Joins Manchester United
On 10 July 2017, Lukaku joined Manchester United, signing a five-year contract for a reported £75 million plus £15 million in add-ons. Lukaku's signing came a day after former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney left the club to return to Everton.
2017: Scores on Debut and First Champions League Goal
In 2017, Lukaku made his debut against Real Madrid on 8 August in the 2017 UEFA Super Cup, and scored his first competitive goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat. On 12 September, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 3–0 win over Basel. On 17 September, Lukaku scored United's third goal in a 4–0 win over his former club Everton.
February 2018: Scores Against Former Club Chelsea
On 25 February 2018, in a 2–1 win over his former club Chelsea, Lukaku scored the equaliser and then assisted Jesse Lingard's game-winning goal.
March 2018: Scores 200th Goal and 100th Premier League Goal
In March 2018, specifically on 13 March, Lukaku scored his 200th goal for club and country in a 2–1 away defeat to Sevilla that eliminated Manchester United from the Champions League in the round of 16. On 31 March 2018, Lukaku scored his 100th Premier League goal.
June 2018: Officially Belgium's leading scorer
On June 6, 2018, Lukaku officially became Belgium's all-time leading scorer with 31 goals, surpassing the previous record.
November 2018: Breaks 12-Game Goal Drought
In November 2018, specifically from 19 September to 27 November 2018, Lukaku broke a 12-game goal drought with goals against Southampton and Fulham. Later the manager José Mourinho was sacked.
August 2019: Joins Inter Milan
On 8 August 2019, Lukaku joined Italian club Inter Milan, signing a five-year contract for a reported club record €80 million. He later claimed he was made a scapegoat alongside other players.
October 2019: 50th and 51st international goals
On October 10, 2019, Lukaku scored his 50th and 51st international goals in a 9–0 win over San Marino.
2019: Lukaku Departed for Inter Milan
In 2019, Lukaku departed for Inter Milan in a club-record deal worth €80 million (£68.1 million) after a breakdown in relations with Manchester United.
October 2020: Scores Brace Against Borussia Mönchengladbach
On 21 October 2020, Lukaku scored a brace in a 2–2 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the first match of the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League.
2020: Honoring George Floyd
In 2020, Lukaku honoured George Floyd by kneeling in support of Black Lives Matter after scoring a goal.
2020: Equals Cristiano Ronaldo as League's Top Scorer
On 14 February 2021, Lukaku scored a brace and got an assist against Lazio in a 3–1 victory, bringing his Serie A tally to 16 goals for the season, and equalling Cristiano Ronaldo as the league's top scorer. Inter won the 2020–21 Serie A.
January 2021: Reaches 50 Goals for Inter & Confrontation with Ibrahimović
In January 2021, specifically on 3 January, Lukaku scored his 50th goal across all competitions in only 70 matches. On 26 January, Lukaku was involved in a confrontation with Zlatan Ibrahimović in Inter's Coppa Italia quarter-final match against Milan.
August 2021: Returns to Chelsea for Record Fee
On 12 August 2021, Lukaku returned to his former club Chelsea on a five-year deal for a reported club record fee of £97.5 million, becoming the most expensive player of all time with cumulative transfer fees of almost £285 million.
September 2021: 100th Belgium appearance
On September 5, 2021, Lukaku made his 100th appearance for Belgium against the Czech Republic, scoring his 67th goal in the process.
2021: Lukaku Returned to Chelsea
In 2021, Lukaku returned to Chelsea in a club-record transfer worth £97.5 million (€115 million), becoming one of the most expensive players in cumulative transfer fees.
2021: Scores on Second Debut and Included in Ballon d'Or Shortlist
In 2021, specifically on 22 August, Lukaku scored on his second debut in a 2–0 win over Arsenal. On 12 September, Lukaku scored twice against Aston Villa. On 8 October, Lukaku was included in the final 30-man shortlist for the 2021 Ballon d'Or.
June 2022: Returns to Inter on Loan
On 29 June 2022, Chelsea announced that Lukaku would return to Inter for a season-long loan for the 2022–23 campaign.
2022: First start for Inter, Supercoppa Italiana win
In 2022, Lukaku made his first start for Inter in a 1–0 win over Napoli and later won the 2022 Supercoppa Italiana after a 3–0 win over Milan.
August 2023: Loan to Roma
In August 2023, Lukaku joined Roma on a season-long loan for approximately £8 million, after being linked to Juventus. He agreed to a new contract with Chelsea that included a wage cut and a £37 million release clause.
2023: FIFA recognizes matches
In 2023, FIFA recognizes the three matches from 2012, 2014 and 2017 in their FIFA Century Club.
2023: Champions League final
On June 10, 2023, Lukaku played in the Champions League final against Manchester City and was criticized for missing key chances, as Inter suffered a 1-0 defeat.
May 2024: Euro 2024 Squad Selection
In May 2024, Lukaku was selected in the 25-man squad for the Euro 2024.
August 2024: Transfer to Napoli
On August 29, 2024, Lukaku permanently transferred to Napoli for a reported fee of €30 million and scored in his debut two days later.
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