Romelu Lukaku has revealed a heartbreaking struggle surrounding the burial of his late father, Roger Lukaku, who passed away last month at the age of 58.
Roger Lukaku, a former Zaire (now DR Congo) international who ended his football career in Belgium, was a respected figure both in African and European football circles. His passing left a deep void in the hearts of family, friends, and fans — but his sons, Romelu and Jordan, are now dealing with unexpected pain beyond grief.
Roger began his football journey with Vita Club in Kinshasa before stints in Ivory Coast, and later, a successful chapter in Belgium starting in 1990. He played for several clubs including Boom, Seraing, and Mechelen, and even had a short spell in Turkey with Gençlerbirliği.
His contributions to the game didn’t go unnoticed — with Belgian clubs and fans paying tribute following his death. During a recent match between RSC Anderlecht and Standard de Liège, the club honored him with an image displayed on the stadium screen, celebrating his legacy and impact on the sport.
In a deeply personal statement shared on Instagram — and reported by Daily Mail — Romelu Lukaku described the distressing situation he and his brother Jordan Lukaku are facing.
“As you may know, we planned to have the funeral this Friday, but because of certain decisions being made in Kinshasa (capital of DR Congo), the funeral will take place over there,” Romelu wrote.
The Napoli striker went on to explain that despite their efforts to bring their father’s remains back to Europe, they encountered severe challenges.
“Our dad passed away on the 28th 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,” he said.
Romelu’s words carried the weight of frustration and heartbreak:
“If our father was here today he wouldn’t accept it. It breaks our soul for us to not put our father to rest. But some people didn’t want it. We understand now why our dad used to keep us away from a lot of people.”
The revelation has sparked empathy across the football world, with fans and fellow professionals sending messages of support to the Lukaku family. Many have praised Romelu’s courage in speaking out about the ordeal while mourning the loss of a man who paved the way for his sons’ football success.
Roger Lukaku’s influence stretched beyond the pitch — shaping not just careers but character. As tributes continue to pour in, one thing remains certain: his legacy in football and fatherhood will not be forgotten.
Sports Market International — bringing you the most human stories behind the game.
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos chapter, has expressed deep sorrow over…
As part of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu's administration's commitment to fostering youth engagement and…
The 15th edition of KidSport Charity Cup ended at the weekend amid pomp…
Harry Kane’s fairy-tale journey in Germany keeps getting better. The Bayern Munich striker capped off…
Liverpool’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tottenham on Saturday came at a worrying cost, as the…
As hosts Morocco kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign in style, reigning…