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 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.

1954: Dave Hickson Record

In 1954, Dave Hickson set a record that Lukaku matched in 2015 by scoring in eight consecutive matches.

1986: Maradona's World Cup Goals

In 1986, Diego Maradona achieved a feat at the World Cup that Lukaku would later emulate in 2018.

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: 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.

2007: Yakubu's Goal Record

In 2007, Yakubu set a goal scoring record that Lukaku would later match in 2016.

2009: Inter Wins Serie A

Inter won the 2020–21 Serie A for the first time since the 2009–10 season.

November 2010: First international goals

In November 2010, Lukaku scored his first two international goals in a friendly against Russia.

2010: Top Goalscorer in Pro League

In 2010, Lukaku ended the season as the top goalscorer in the Pro League with 15 goals, and Anderlecht won its 30th Belgian title.

2012: West Brom Loan Goal Return

In 2012, Lukaku had his best goal return in a league season, setting the stage for his achievements in 2016.

January 2014: Named Promising Young Player

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

2014: Promising Young Player

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2018: FIFA World Cup

In 2018, Lukaku represented Belgium at the FIFA World Cup and finished as joint second-highest goalscorer, winning the Bronze Boot.

2018: Sponsorship deal with Puma

In 2018, Lukaku signed a record sponsorship deal with Puma.

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.

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.

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: 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.