Romelu Lukaku's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Romelu Lukaku.

Romelu Lukaku is a Belgian professional footballer renowned for his prolific goal-scoring ability. He currently plays as a striker for Serie A club Napoli and is a key player for the Belgium national team. Known for his strength, pace, and clinical finishing, Lukaku has played for major clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Everton. He is Belgium's all-time top goalscorer and has consistently performed at a high level throughout his career, establishing himself as one of the top strikers in modern football.

Sections (4)

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

1949: Lukaku equals István Nyers's record

In July 2020, Lukaku equalled István Nyers's record from the 1949–50 season by becoming the first Inter player to score 15 away goals in a Serie A season, and the first to do so in his debut season.

1954: Scoring Record

In December 2015, Lukaku became the first Everton player since Dave Hickson in 1954 to score in eight consecutive matches.

1980: West Brom's Consecutive Wins

In November 2012, West Brom achieved their fourth consecutive win in the top flight for the first time since 1980, with Lukaku contributing a penalty and an assist in a match against Sunderland.

1986: Diego Maradona sets record

In 1986, Diego Maradona scored two goals or more in consecutive World Cup matches, a feat that Lukaku would later equal.

1997: Lukaku equals Ronaldo's record of goals

In August 2020, Lukaku equalled Ronaldo's record in 1997–98 season, by scoring 34 goals in all competitions.

2004: Lukaku equals Alan Shearer's all-time record

On August 5, 2020, Lukaku scored for the eighth consecutive Europa League match, equalling the all-time record set by Alan Shearer in 2004–05.

2009: Inter wins the Serie A for the first time since 2009-10 season

In 2021, Inter won the Serie A for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Lukaku finished the season with 24 league goals and eleven assists.

2010: Top Goalscorer and League Title

During the 2009-10 season, Romelu Lukaku finished as the top goalscorer in the Pro League with 15 goals as Anderlecht won its 30th Belgian title. He also scored four goals during the club's run to the last 16 of the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League.

2012: FIFA Includes Result in FIFA Century Club

In 2012, Romelu Lukaku played a match now recognized by FIFA in their FIFA Century Club.

2012: Premier League Record

On March 1, 2016, Lukaku scored his 17th league goal of the season in a 3-1 victory against Aston Villa, setting a Premier League-era record for Everton and equalling his best goal return in a league season, set during his loan spell at West Brom in the 2012–13 season.

October 2013: Lukaku Secures World Cup Place for Belgium

In October 2013, Romelu Lukaku scored two goals as Belgium defeated Croatia 2–1, securing a place in the World Cup finals.

January 2014: Named Among Most Promising Young Players

In January 2014, Romelu Lukaku was named by The Guardian as one of the ten most promising young players in Europe.

February 2016: 20th Goal of the Season

On February 6, 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. The goal also equalled Premier League goal scoring records for Everton.

September 2016: Lukaku scores first goals of the season, achieving a hat-trick

In September 2016, Romelu Lukaku scored his first goals of the 2016–17 season, achieving a hat-trick in a 3–0 victory against Sunderland. His goals were scored in 11 minutes and 37 seconds, which made it the 12th-fastest hat-trick in Premier League history.

February 2017: Lukaku scores four goals against Bournemouth

In February 2017, Romelu Lukaku scored four goals against Bournemouth in a 6–3 victory, with the first goal being Everton's fastest ever Premier League goal. It was also the 300th hat-trick scored in the Premier League.

April 2017: Named in the PFA Team of the Year

In April 2017, Lukaku was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the first time. He was also included in the shortlists for the PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards.

November 2017: Lukaku Equals and Breaks Belgium's Goalscoring Record

On November 10, 2017, Romelu Lukaku equalled the all-time Belgium goalscoring record. Four days later, Lukaku became Belgium's all-time record goalscorer with 31 international goals at the age of 24.

March 2018: Lukaku scores his 200th goal for club and country and 100th Premier League goal

In March 2018, Romelu Lukaku scored his 200th goal for club and country in a 2–1 defeat to Sevilla, which resulted in Manchester United being eliminated from the Champions League. Later in March, Lukaku scored his 100th Premier League goal in a 2–0 win over Swansea, becoming the fifth youngest player to reach that milestone.

June 2018: Lukaku Scores Multiple Goals at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

In June 2018, Romelu Lukaku scored twice in a 3–0 win over Panama and twice again in a 5–2 win over Tunisia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He became the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score two goals or more in consecutive World Cup matches.

June 2018: Lukaku Officially Becomes Belgium's All-Time Leading Scorer

On June 6, 2018, Romelu Lukaku officially became Belgium's all-time leading scorer with 31 goals, after scoring a goal in a 3–0 win over Egypt. He broke a three-way tie with Bernard Voorhoof and Paul Van Himst.

October 2019: Lukaku Reaches 50 International Goals

On October 10, 2019, Romelu Lukaku scored his 50th and 51st international goals in a 9–0 home win over San Marino in a Euro 2020 qualifier.

2020: Lukaku equals Cristiano Ronaldo as league's top scorer

In February 2021, Lukaku scored a brace against Lazio, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo as Serie A's top scorer with 16 goals for the season. Lukaku's second goal was also the 300th of his professional career. Inter won the Serie A in the 2020-2021 season. Lukaku finished the season with 24 league goals and eleven assists.

January 2021: Lukaku breaks record for fastest to 50 goals and confrontation with Ibrahimović

In January 2021, Romelu Lukaku scored his 50th goal in 70 matches, breaking Ronaldo's record. Also in January 2021, Lukaku was involved in a confrontation with Zlatan Ibrahimović during a Coppa Italia match. Insults were exchanged, and both players were booked.

August 2021: Lukaku returns to Chelsea

In August 2021, Romelu Lukaku returned to 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: Lukaku Makes 100th Appearance for Belgium

On September 5, 2021, Romelu Lukaku made his 100th appearance for Belgium against the Czech Republic, scoring his 67th goal in the process.

2021: Lukaku scores on second debut for Chelsea

In August 2021, Lukaku scored on his second debut for Chelsea in a 2–0 win against Arsenal. In September 2021, Lukaku scored twice against Aston Villa and his first European goal for Chelsea against Zenit. In October 2021, Lukaku was included in the shortlist for the 2021 Ballon d'Or, eventually finishing twelfth.

2022: Lukaku Wins Supercoppa Italiana

In 2022, Romelu Lukaku won the Supercoppa Italiana with Inter Milan following a 3–0 win over Milan, despite being on the bench.

2023: FIFA Recognizes Three Matches in FIFA Century Club

In 2023, FIFA recognizes the three matches from 2012, 2014 and 2017 in their FIFA Century Club.

2023: Lukaku plays in Champions League final and wins Coppa Italia

In 2023, Lukaku faced criticism for his performance in the Champions League final against Manchester City, where his team suffered a 1-0 defeat. However, in May 2023, he won the Coppa Italia, as Inter defeated Fiorentina 2–1 in the final.