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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

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.

June 2016: Euro 2016 goals

At UEFA Euro 2016 on June 18, 2016, Lukaku scored twice in Belgium's 3–0 win over the Republic of Ireland.

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.

November 2017: Belgium's all-time record goalscorer

In November 2017, Lukaku equalled Belgium's all-time goalscoring record and then became the all-time record goalscorer with 31 goals after scoring against Japan.

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: 2018 FIFA World Cup goals

In June 2018, Lukaku scored twice against Panama and twice against Tunisia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first player since Maradona in 1986 to score two or more goals in consecutive World Cup matches. He won the Bronze Boot award.

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: UEFA Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament

In 2020, Lukaku was selected for the UEFA Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament

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.

June 2021: UEFA Euro 2020 goals

In June 2021, Lukaku scored twice in Belgium's opening match of UEFA Euro 2020 against Russia and later scored against Finland.

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.

November 2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup

In November 2022, Lukaku played in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and missed key chances in the final group stage match against Croatia, resulting in Belgium's elimination.

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.