Lukaku returns to Naples to meet Conte
Belgian international Lukaku has returned to Naples after spending more than a month in Antwerp, Belgium, to undertake individual training sessions to regain his fitness.
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Lukaku refused to return to Naples during the March international break and remained in Belgium without the club’s consent.
VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 28, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Therefore, he was fined and excluded from the team. He returned to Naples for just one day at the end of April to meet the club’s directors with his agent, Pastorello.
Lukaku and his representative did not sit down with Conte at the time, prompting the coach to publicly express his discontent.
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“I know both (Lukaku and Conte) very well and they both live football with great passion,” Pastorello told DAZN Belgium via TMW.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli reacts after missing a penalty in the shootout during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“That was not the right time for a meeting, but they will do it today.”
Lukaku has now returned to Napoli’s training centre, his agent confirmed.
“Lukaku has returned to Napoli, as expected, and will return to training with the team now that he is in better shape. Then the coach will decide what to do with Romelu,” Pastorello said.
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Lukaku suffered a serious muscle injury early in the season, which forced him to be on the sidelines for the first half of the season.
The Belgium international, 32, has played just 64 minutes in all competitions this season and has scored one goal.
His contract at the Stadio Maradona ends in June 2027.