Napoli are furious after Romelu Lukaku failed to turn up for training on Thursday without any warning.
The Belgian striker had left the Belgian national team’s training camp early, with both Napoli and the Belgian Football Federation releasing a joint statement confirming he would return to the club’s training ground at Castel Volturno to work on his fitness. The idea was clearly to get him in peak condition for the final stretch of the season, which could yet turn into a title run if Inter Milan slip up.
The Belgian FA’s statement read that Lukaku had chosen to focus on his physical preparation and that the federation respected his decision and wished him well.
However, on Thursday morning Lukaku was nowhere to be seen. He had been expected at Castel Volturno for a double training session but simply did not show up. Early reports suggest he has remained in Brussels to be close to his family, having recently lost his father, a bereavement that clearly hit him hard, as he revealed in an emotional interview after scoring a last minute winner against Verona.
His absence has caused uproar at the club. Napoli are said to be furious, and all eyes are now on what Lukaku does next, whether he makes contact with the club or continues to stay away without explanation.
