Overview
- Napoli, which issued a statement Tuesday, said Romelu Lukaku ignored a call to return to training and warned it may impose disciplinary measures.
- Responding Monday on Instagram, Lukaku said scans in Belgium showed inflammation and fluid in his hip flexor/iliopsoas and he chose to rehabilitate at home, adding he would never turn his back on Napoli.
- Italian outlets reported that club lawyers are weighing stronger steps, including freezing him out of the squad, with contract consequences such as termination discussed in reporting.
- Lukaku withdrew from Belgium's warm-up matches in the United States and Mexico to work on fitness and has played sparingly for Napoli after a pre-season injury kept him out until January.
- Belgian reporting says he prefers working with national-team physiotherapists over Napoli's medical staff, highlighting a treatment rift as the club readies for Monday's home match against AC Milan.