Romelu Lukaku reveals he wanted to QUIT Belgium after Euro 2024 – as he opens up on ‘toxic’ atmosphere under former boss Domenico Tedesco
Romelu Lukaku has revealed he wanted to quit international duty with Belgium following their Euro 2024 exit at the hands of France.
Lukaku, who is currently plying his trade at Napoli, where he has scored 10 goals in 29 appearances this season, has been a staple piece of Belgium’s set-up for a number of years.
He was part of what had been considered the golden generation for the nation over the last few years, but a group that failed to win anything under the likes of Marc Wilmots, Roberto Martinez and Domenico Tedesco.
In total, the former Chelsea and Manchester United star has played 120 times for his country since debuting in 2010 at just 16 years old, netting 85 times and ultimately being made captain on more than one occasions.
It hasn’t all been rosy, however. Belgium’s exit at the hands of France at Euro 2024 at the round of 16 stage left a bitter taste in a number of Belgian mouths and led to the departure of Tedesco, with Rudi Garcia appointed in his place to lead the new era.
That era, though, was almost without Lukaku. Speaking on international duty this week ahead of his side’s games against Ukraine in the Nations League play-offs, the forward revealed how he was tempted to give up international duty full stop.
Romelu Lukaku has revealed he considered quitting Belgium following their Euro 2024 exit
The Red Devils fell at the round of 16 stage as they lost to France under Domenico Tedesco
Lukaku revealed there was a ‘toxic’ atmosphere at the end of the tournament under Tedesco
He has, however, been all smiles in training this week with Rudi Garcia now taking charge
‘I thought about stopping after the Euro and the loss against France,’ Lukaku said. ‘I was very frustrated and told Jan Vertonghen that I wasn’t feeling it anymore.
‘Too much had happened too quickly. But I couldn’t abandon my country.’
He also took aim at former coach Tedesco, who was in charge from February 2023 until the tournament last year. His efforts had frustrated some players, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois refusing to play under him due to a captaincy row.
Lukaku opened up on the struggles of Euro 2024 and the difficulties he and his team faced, which ultimately led to the former boss’ dismissal.
‘During tournaments, I focus entirely on the team,’ he added. ‘Afterwards, it was difficult to digest the Euros.
‘The atmosphere was quite toxic, and the results were not there. I don’t react well to defeat, but that has always been my strength too. Maybe I need to open up a little more.’
Courtois, meanwhile, revealed he held showdown talks with his Belgian team-mates after making a controversial return to the national squad.
Courtois, 32, had been absent from the Belgian side for almost two years after his spat with Tedesco in June 2023.
Friday’s squad announcement, which marked the first for Garcia, saw Courtois named in the Red Devils squad once again.
