Unveiling the Heartache: Romelu Lukaku’s Battle Against Alleged Extortion After Father’s Passing
Romelu Lukaku, the Napoli forward, has opened up about a deeply troubling ordeal involving accusations of extortion following the loss of his father. In this emotional revelation, the Belgian star shares how external forces disrupted his family’s plans, adding layers of grief to an already painful time.
Lukaku’s Claims of Coercion in the Wake of His Father’s Death
The celebrated Napoli player has pointed fingers at individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo for what he describes as coercive tactics after his father, Roger Lukaku, passed away. As a former international for Zaire who built a significant career in Belgium, Roger died at 58 in Kinshasa during September. Romelu and his sibling Jordan had hoped to transport their father’s remains to Belgium for a memorial service, but circumstances in the Congolese city forced them to alter their intentions entirely.
The Emotional Toll Through Social Media
In an deeply moving message on Instagram, Romelu explained that their original plan for a Friday ceremony was upended due to external influences in Kinshasa. He shared, “As you may know, we had arranged for the service this Friday, yet due to choices made in Kinshasa, it will now happen there instead.” Continuing his thoughts, he noted, “Our father departed on September 28, and as brothers, we exhausted all options to return his remains to Europe, only to sense manipulation from certain parties…”
He went on to express, “If our father were with us now, he would never stand for this. It shatters our spirits not to lay him to rest as intended. Yet, some individuals opposed it. We now grasp why our father distanced us from many people.”
A Son’s Tribute and Ongoing Grief
Following his father’s death last month, Romelu shared a poignant homage, stating that his world feels irrevocably changed without him. “I owe you for all the lessons you’ve imparted. I’m eternally thankful and cherish you,” he conveyed. The striker further reflected, “The sorrow and tears are overwhelming right now. Still, I trust in a higher power to help me regain my footing.”
Uncertainty Surrounding the Funeral
Details about the timing of the service in Kinshasa and whether Romelu and his brother can participate remain unclear, as the family navigates the fallout from these alleged manipulative actions. This distressing experience has intensified their mourning, leaving the siblings in profound distress.
The Impact on Lukaku’s Life and Career
While recovering from an injury, Romelu has clearly been affected emotionally beyond the field. Nevertheless, his father’s influence endures strongly. Roger’s own path in football started at Vita Club in DR Congo and extended to Africa Sports d’Abidjan in Ivory Coast. By 1990, he had established himself in Belgium, playing for teams like Boom, Seraing, Germinal Ekeren, Mechelen, and Oostende, where he scored 47 goals across 135 elite matches. His brief tenure in Turkey with Genclerbirligi highlighted a career that motivated his sons to pursue the sport.
