Tension between Romelu Lukaku and Napoli has not fully subsided, despite the Belgian striker holding talks with the club after returning to the city. Lukaku, who was back in Naples on Saturday evening, met club officials at Castel Volturno in an effort to address a situation that has become increasingly delicate following a month spent in Brussels training with a personal coach, despite an earlier understanding with the Serie A side.
Lukaku’s last appearance for Napoli came on March 20 in the away match against Cagliari, when he remained on the bench for the full ninety minutes. Since then, the 32-year-old has continued his recovery in Belgium and only now returned to the club’s training base for what was seen as a necessary face-to-face meeting.
The discussions were described as frank and direct, with both sides attempting to move beyond the controversy and refocus on football matters ahead of the final stretch of the season. However, the atmosphere remains strained. Reports indicate that irritation was caused within the club after Lukaku arrived at Castel Volturno without greeting teammates or members of the coaching staff, a gesture that did not go unnoticed.
As a result, the possibility of disciplinary action has not been ruled out. A fine remains on the table, underlining that while dialogue has taken place, the underlying tension has not completely disappeared.
From a sporting perspective, Lukaku is not expected to remain in Naples. He is due to return to Belgium in the coming hours to complete the final phase of his recovery, while staying in close contact with Napoli’s medical staff. He aims to regain full fitness and make a return before the end of the season.
The current expectation is that he will be back in Naples within the next couple of weeks, with one eye also firmly on the 2026 World Cup, which remains one of the major personal targets in the closing stage of his international career.
