Romelu Lukaku Bio, Age, Height, Girlfriend, Career, Napoli, Belgium, Goals, Salary, Net Worth & Facts
Romelu Lukaku is one of the most prolific strikers in modern football history. From a childhood of poverty in Antwerp to becoming Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer and one of Europe’s most feared center-forwards, his journey is a story of raw power, relentless hunger, and remarkable resilience. Now plying his trade for Napoli in Serie A, Lukaku continues to etch his name into the record books while carrying the hopes of Belgium’s golden generation on his broad shoulders.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Romelu Menama Lukaku Bolingoli |
| Nick Name | Big Rom, Lakaka |
| Profession | Professional Footballer (Striker) |
| Birth Date | May 13, 1993 |
| Age | 33 years 1 month old |
| Birth Place | Antwerp, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Known For | Belgium’s all-time top scorer; 2× Serie A champion; FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot 2018; Most expensive player in cumulative transfer fees |
| Ethnicity | Congolese (DR Congo) descent |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Height | 6’3″ (190–191 cm) |
| Weight | 205–225 lbs (94–103 kg) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Qualification | Professional football academy graduate (Anderlecht youth system) |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (practicing) |
| Marital Status | Single (previously in long-term relationship) |
| Relationships | Sarah Mens (2016–2021); briefly linked to Megan Thee Stallion (2023) |
| Children | 2 (Romeo Emmanuel, born 2018; Jordan, born ~2022) |
| Family Tree | Father: Roger Lukaku (professional footballer, 1967–2025); Mother: Adolphine Lukaku; Brother: Jordan Lukaku (professional footballer); Cousin: Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo |
| Hobbies | Gaming (FIFA), music, fashion, philanthropy |
| Current Work | Striker for SSC Napoli (Serie A) and Belgium national team |
| Years Active | 2009–present |
| Net Worth | Estimated $80 million |
| Career Goals (Club) | 400+ goals |
| International Goals | 91 goals (Belgium all-time record) |
| Languages | Dutch, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Lingala |
Early Life & Education
Romelu Lukaku was born on May 13, 1993, in Antwerp, Belgium, to Congolese parents who had immigrated from what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His father, Roger Lukaku, was a professional footballer who represented Zaire internationally and played for several Belgian clubs including KV Oostende, KV Mechelen, and Germinal Ekeren. His younger brother, Jordan Lukaku, also became a professional footballer.
Lukaku grew up in a working-class household where money was scarce. He has spoken movingly about the extreme poverty his family endured—recalling coming home from school to find his mother diluting milk with water just to make it last. These hardships fueled an obsession with football from an early age. He joined the youth team of Rupel Boom in 1999 at age six, then moved through Royal Vintem FC and Lierse S.K. before entering the prestigious Anderlecht academy in 2006.
At age 12, Lukaku set a clear goal: become a professional footballer before turning 16. He was the subject of a Dutch-language television documentary series called De School Van Lukaku (Lukaku’s School), which followed him and his classmates during a year at the Saint-Guidon Institute in Brussels. In 2009, the series documented a school trip to London where Lukaku visited Stamford Bridge and declared, “What a stadium. If one day in my life I will cry, it will be the day I play here. I love Chelsea.”
Career Journey
Anderlecht Breakthrough (2009–2011)
Lukaku made his professional debut for Anderlecht in 2009 at just 16 years old. He quickly became one of Europe’s most exciting young strikers, helping Anderlecht win the 2009–10 Belgian Pro League title and finishing as the league’s top scorer with 15 goals. In the 2010–11 season, he added 16 more league goals. His combination of size, speed, and finishing at such a young age drew attention from major European clubs.
Chelsea, West Brom, and Everton (2011–2017)
In August 2011, Lukaku joined Chelsea for a fee around €12 million, rising to €20 million with add-ons. However, with established stars ahead of him, he struggled for playing time. He famously refused to hold the Champions League trophy after Chelsea’s 2012 final win, saying, “it wasn’t me, but my team that won.”
Loan spells transformed his career. At West Bromwich Albion in 2012–13, he scored 17 Premier League goals. He then moved on loan to Everton, where he continued to develop. Everton made the deal permanent in 2014 for £28 million. Lukaku became one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards, scoring 25 goals in the 2016–17 season and earning a place in the PFA Team of the Year.
Manchester United (2017–2019)
In 2017, Manchester United signed Lukaku for around £75 million. He began strongly, scoring regularly in his first season and helping United reach the 2018 FA Cup final. He also scored his 100th Premier League goal during this period. However, his time at Old Trafford was uneven—he faced criticism over his first touch and fitness, and after two seasons, he departed for Italy.
Inter Milan — The Peak (2019–2021)
Lukaku signed with Inter Milan in August 2019 for €74 million, reuniting with manager Antonio Conte. The move proved to be the best club decision of his career. Playing alongside Lautaro Martínez, Lukaku became the focal point of one of Europe’s most effective attacks.
In the 2019–20 season, he scored 34 goals in 51 appearances, equaling Ronaldo’s goal record in his debut Inter season. In the 2020–21 season, he led Inter to their first Serie A title in 11 years with 24 league goals and 11 assists. He was named Serie A Most Valuable Player, Serie A Footballer of the Year, and made the Serie A Team of the Year.
Return to Chelsea and Turmoil (2021–2024)
Chelsea brought Lukaku back in August 2021 in a club-record transfer worth £97.5 million (€115 million), making him the most expensive player in football history in terms of cumulative transfer fees. Expectations were enormous, but the reunion quickly soured. In December 2021, he gave an explosive interview to Sky Italy stating he was “not happy” with Thomas Tuchel’s system, questioned his playing time, and openly talked about returning to Inter. The interview caused a major fallout with Chelsea management and fans.
After one turbulent season, he returned to Inter on loan for 2022–23, winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana and reaching the Champions League final. In 2023–24, he joined AS Roma on loan, scoring 21 goals in 47 appearances and winning the IFFHS World’s Best International Goal Scorer award for 2023.
Napoli and Continued Success (2024–Present)
In August 2024, Napoli signed Lukaku permanently from Chelsea for £30 million, reuniting him with Antonio Conte. In the 2024–25 season, he played 36 Serie A matches, scoring 14 goals and providing 10 assists—making him the league’s assist leader. He helped Napoli win the Serie A title, their second Scudetto in collaboration. On March 31, 2025, he scored the 400th goal of his professional career. In December 2025, he won the Supercoppa Italiana with Napoli.
However, in August 2025, Lukaku suffered a high-grade tear to the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos. After consultations with specialists, he opted for conservative therapy rather than surgery, facing an expected absence of three to four months. He returned in March 2026, scoring his first goal after 281 days in a 2–1 win over Hellas Verona.
International Career
Lukaku made his senior debut for Belgium on March 3, 2010, at age 16. He has since become the cornerstone of Belgium’s golden generation alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, and Thibaut Courtois.
He is Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer with 91 goals in 126 appearances as of November 2025—second only to Cristiano Ronaldo among European men’s international goalscorers. He has represented Belgium at four FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) and three UEFA European Championships (2016, 2020, 2024).
At the 2018 World Cup, he scored four goals and won the Bronze Boot as Belgium finished third—their best-ever World Cup result. He was named to the UEFA Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament. In Euro 2024 qualifying, he set a record with 14 goals in a single campaign, the highest in any Euro qualifying group history.
Personal Life
Relationships
Lukaku’s most notable long-term relationship was with Dutch-Belgian model Sarah Mens, whom he met in Miami in 2016. The pair dated for approximately five years before separating around 2021. Sarah is the daughter of Dutch television host Harry Mens and runs her own fashion business, Brash Official.
In 2023, Lukaku was briefly linked to American rapper Megan Thee Stallion after they were seen together at teammate Lautaro Martínez’s wedding in Italy, though neither confirmed any romantic involvement.
As of 2026, Lukaku is not publicly in a relationship and keeps his dating life extremely private.
Children
Lukaku is a father of two children. His eldest son, Romeo Emmanuel, was born in 2018. He has a second child, Jordan, born around 2022. He keeps both children’s identities and personal lives out of the public eye, rarely sharing details or images.
Family Tragedy
In September 2025, Lukaku’s father Roger passed away at age 58 in Kinshasa, DR Congo. The brothers publicly stated that local individuals attempted to extort them and made decisions that prevented the repatriation of his body to Belgium, where Roger had spent most of his career. Romelu and Jordan were unable to attend the funeral, releasing a heartfelt statement: “Our dad passed away on the 28 of September and we as brothers tried everything to bring his corpse back to Europe but we felt that we were being extorted by some people.”
Controversies
Chelsea Sky Italy Interview (2021)
The most significant controversy of Lukaku’s career came in December 2021 when he gave an unauthorized interview to Sky Italy while at Chelsea. He stated he was “not happy” with Thomas Tuchel’s system, said the manager had “decided to play a different formation,” and openly declared his love for Inter Milan and desire to return. The interview caught Chelsea management off guard, created tension with teammates and fans, and contributed to his swift departure from the club after just one season.
Juventus Transfer Saga (2023)
During the 2023 summer transfer window, Lukaku was in advanced talks to rejoin Inter Milan permanently. However, when Inter’s offer met Chelsea’s requirements, Lukaku reportedly contacted Juventus without notifying Inter and stopped responding to Inter’s messages. This led to the collapse of the deal and Inter’s decision to abandon the pursuit, damaging his relationship with the club and its fans.
“Lakaka” Nickname
Lukaku is also known by the internet nickname “Lakaka,” given by fans and often used sarcastically to mock poor performances. The nickname gained significant traction after his struggles at the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 Champions League final.
Awards & Achievements
Club Honours
- Belgian Pro League: 2009–10 (Anderlecht)
- FA Cup: 2011–12 (Chelsea)
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2021 (Chelsea)
- Serie A: 2020–21 (Inter Milan), 2024–25 (Napoli)
- Coppa Italia: 2022–23 (Inter Milan)
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2022 (Inter Milan), 2025–26 (Napoli)
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2022–23 (Inter Milan)
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2019–20 (Inter Milan)
International Honours
- FIFA World Cup third place: 2018 (Belgium)
Individual Awards
- Belgian First Division top scorer: 2009–10 (15 goals)
- Premier League Player of the Month: March 2017
- PFA Team of the Year: 2016–17 Premier League
- FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot: 2018
- UEFA Europa League Player of the Season: 2019–20
- IFFHS World’s Best International Goal Scorer: 2020, 2023
- Serie A Most Valuable Player: 2020–21
- Serie A Footballer of the Year: 2021
- Serie A Team of the Year: 2020–21, 2024–25
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2020
- Best Belgian Abroad: 2020, 2021, 2025
- UEFA Nations League top scorer: 2020–21
- Serie A assist leader: 2024–25 (10 assists)
Physical Statistics
| Measurement | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6’3″ (190–191 cm) |
| Weight | 205–225 lbs (94–103 kg) |
| Body Type | Athletic/Powerful |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Jersey Number | 9 |
| Position | Centre-Forward (Striker) |
Lukaku is renowned for his exceptional physical presence—combining elite strength, direct running, and a powerful left foot. His size and speed make him one of the most difficult strikers to defend in world football.
Quotes
“Hard work eliminates fear. The game is what counts.”
“As a young kid, you dream of playing in every big team.”
“I don’t know why some people in my own country want to see me fail. I really don’t.”
“Choosing an exclusive sportswear brand to work with is an important decision, not just for the boots on the pitch but for my goals and desires off of it.”
“Every game I ever played was a Final.”
“See? I told you. Your daughter is OK. No more rats in the apartment. No more sleeping on the floor. No more stress. We’re good now. We’re good.”
“They don’t have to check the I.D. any more. They know our name.”
Favorites
- Football Idol: Didier Drogba
- Childhood Club: Chelsea (visited Stamford Bridge at age 12)
- Boot Brand: Puma (record-breaking sponsorship deal)
- Management: Roc Nation Sports (Jay-Z’s agency)
- Video Game: FIFA
- Languages: Speaks eight languages fluently—Dutch, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, and Lingala
- Diet: Teetotaller (does not drink alcohol)
- Religious Practice: Devout Roman Catholic; prays before and after matches; made pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2014
Earnings
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | $80 million |
| Career Gross Salaries | $145–150 million |
| Total Career Income (salaries + endorsements) | $170–185 million |
| Napoli Annual Salary (2024–2027) | ~£6.55 million / ~$8.7 million |
| Napoli Weekly Salary | ~£127,119 / ~$167,954 |
| Puma Endorsement Deal | Largest in company history (2018) |
| Roc Nation Sports | First Premier League player signed (2018) |
Lukaku became the first Premier League player to sign with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports in 2018. In June 2018, he signed a record-breaking multiyear sponsorship deal with Puma—the largest endorsement deal in the German company’s history at the time.
Interesting Facts
- Lukaku is a polyglot who speaks eight languages fluently.
- He is a practicing Roman Catholic and teetotaller.
- He refused to hold the Champions League trophy after Chelsea’s 2012 win because he didn’t feel he contributed.
- He scored the 400th goal of his professional career on March 31, 2025.
- He is Belgium’s all-time top scorer and second-highest European men’s international goalscorer ever.
- His cumulative transfer fees exceed £308.5 million, making him the most expensive player in football history by that measure.
- He set a Premier League record for fewest touches by an outfield player (7) in a match against Crystal Palace in January 2022.
- He was the star of a reality TV documentary as a teenager in Belgium.
- His cousin Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo has played for Celtic and Club Brugge.
- He has scored three official international hat-tricks for Belgium, including a four-goal haul against Azerbaijan in November 2023.
Did You Know Already?
- Lukaku signed his professional contract with Anderlecht on his 16th birthday—May 13, 2009.
- He scored 25 goals by November during his bet with a youth coach about pancakes.
- He has played under Antonio Conte at three different clubs: Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Napoli.
- His father Roger played for Zaire (now DR Congo) and died in Kinshasa in 2025 at age 58.
- He was unable to attend his father’s funeral due to alleged extortion attempts in DR Congo.
- He holds the record for most consecutive scoring matches in UEFA Cup/Europa League history (12 matches).
Social Media Links
- Instagram: @romelulukaku (8+ million followers)
- X (Twitter): @romelulukaku9
- Facebook: Romelu Lukaku Official
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Romelu Lukaku?
Romelu Lukaku was born on May 13, 1993, making him 33 years old as of 2026.
What is Romelu Lukaku’s net worth?
Romelu Lukaku’s net worth is estimated at approximately $80 million, with career earnings from salaries and endorsements totaling $170–185 million.
How many goals has Romelu Lukaku scored for Belgium?
Lukaku has scored 91 goals in 126 appearances for Belgium, making him the country’s all-time leading goalscorer and the second-highest European men’s international goalscorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
What clubs has Romelu Lukaku played for?
Lukaku has played for Anderlecht, Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion (loan), Everton, Manchester United, Inter Milan, AS Roma (loan), and Napoli.
Who is Romelu Lukaku’s girlfriend?
As of 2026, Lukaku is not publicly in a relationship. He was previously in a long-term relationship with Sarah Mens (2016–2021) and was briefly linked to Megan Thee Stallion in 2023.
How tall is Romelu Lukaku?
Romelu Lukaku stands at 6 feet 3 inches (190–191 cm) tall.
What is Romelu Lukaku’s salary at Napoli?
Lukaku earns approximately £127,119 per week (~$167,954) or £6.55 million annually (~$8.7 million) at Napoli.
Why did Lukaku leave Chelsea?
Lukaku’s return to Chelsea in 2021 was marred by an unauthorized Sky Italy interview where he criticized manager Thomas Tuchel’s system and expressed desire to return to Inter Milan. The fallout led to his departure after just one season.
Conclusion
Romelu Lukaku’s story is one of extraordinary transformation—from a boy who watched his mother stretch milk with water to a man who commands one of the highest salaries in Italian football. His journey across four countries, eight clubs, and countless records reflects both his immense talent and his complicated relationship with the spotlight. Whether scoring hat-tricks for Belgium, winning titles with Inter and Napoli, or navigating the controversies that have dotted his career, Lukaku remains one of the most compelling figures in world football.
If you enjoyed this deep dive into Romelu Lukaku’s life and career, please share it with fellow football fans and follow his journey as he continues to chase history!
