Romelu Lukaku is facing growing criticism in Italy as his relationship with SSC Napoli and manager Antonio Conte appears to have broken down beyond repair.
The Belgian striker now looks increasingly likely to leave Napoli this summer after a series of disagreements over injury management and rehabilitation.
What began as a fitness issue has now become a wider club conflict.
And former football executive Massimo Brambati believes Lukaku has shown a lack of gratitude to the manager who helped rebuild his career.
Lukaku’s Napoli future looks over
Lukaku played a major role in Napoli’s Serie A title-winning campaign last season, but this year has been far more difficult.
Persistent fitness issues have disrupted his rhythm and reduced his impact.
The biggest flashpoint came when Lukaku reportedly chose to remain in Belgium to continue a personal rehabilitation programme rather than return to Naples for treatment under club supervision.
That decision directly conflicted with Napoli’s instructions.
The result has been severe.
Lukaku has now reportedly been excluded from Napoli’s squad for the remainder of the season, with the expectation growing that he will be sold once the transfer window opens.
That marks a dramatic collapse in trust.
Conte’s role in Lukaku’s rise makes criticism sharper
Brambati’s criticism focused heavily on Conte’s historic role in Lukaku’s development.
At Inter Milan, Conte helped transform Lukaku into one of Europe’s most effective forwards, building a system around his strengths.
That success led directly to his high-profile return to Chelsea FC, where he secured one of the biggest contracts of his career.
Brambati believes that history should matter.
“Lukaku owes a lot to Conte. He relaunched him at Inter, allowing him to secure a significant contract at Chelsea.” — Massimo Brambati
That context makes the current fallout even more striking.
The bigger issue: trust and long-term market value
Lukaku’s football ability remains unquestioned.
But his recent career pattern raises questions.
His departures from Chelsea, Inter, AS Roma and now potentially Napoli have all involved difficult exits or tensions behind the scenes.
That affects market confidence.
Having followed Lukaku’s club trajectory over the last five years, the recurring issue has rarely been talent — it has been alignment.
At 32, clubs will now weigh risk differently.
| Lukaku Career Snapshot | Status |
|---|---|
| Age | 32 |
| Current club | Napoli |
| Likely summer status | Available for transfer |
| Recent issue | Injury treatment dispute |
Source: player status data – 2 May 2026
The challenge now is finding the right environment.
His next move could define the final phase of his career.
Key insights
- Lukaku’s relationship with Napoli has broken down
- Antonio Conte is reportedly central to the disagreement
- The striker has been excluded for the rest of the season
- Italian media have questioned his professionalism
- A summer transfer now looks increasingly likely
What’s next?
Napoli’s priority will now be finding a buyer willing to absorb both the transfer fee and Lukaku’s salary demands.
For the player, the options may be narrower than before.
Interest from Europe’s elite may cool given his injury history and recent club tensions, meaning a move to a lower-pressure environment could become more realistic.
The summer will now be decisive.
Can Lukaku rebuild again, or is this the beginning of the final decline?
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