Lukaku Could Miss World Cup, Napoli Await Decision
In the cruel and necessarily “brutal” language of medicine, this is the situation: “Following the injury sustained in the match against Olympiacos, Romelu Lukaku underwent instrumental examinations at the Pineta Grande Hospital, which revealed a high-grade lesion of the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh. The player has already started rehabilitation and will also undergo a surgical consultation,” CE Report quotes to Italian media.
And so, as if things couldn’t get any worse, it’s not just two months before Big Rom can return to the center of Napoli’s attack. A “high-grade lesion” is essentially a muscle tear, and then there’s that troubling phrase: “surgical consultation.” The medical staff, together with specialists, will now evaluate the best course of action. Two options are on the table: conservative therapy or surgery.
The Two Options for Lukaku
The striker has suffered a very serious, though not complete, muscle tear. This leaves two possibilities: conservative treatment or immediate surgery. But conservative therapy, while less drastic, carries a risk: it requires significant time and does not fully guarantee a solution. In fact, it may still lead to surgery later, resulting in even more lost time.
If surgery is chosen, Lukaku would face a layoff of 4–5 months, returning no earlier than January 2026. If conservative therapy is attempted, the recovery period could range from 2 to 7 months — but if surgery becomes necessary later, Lukaku might not be back until March or April 2026. In that case, he would even risk missing the World Cup in the United States. A final decision will be made in the coming hours, in agreement between the player and the club.
Napoli on the Transfer Market
Meanwhile, another summit awaits. President De Laurentiis, coach Conte, and sporting director Manna must move quickly in the transfer market. Can the defending champions, also competing in the Champions League, really face the season with only one striker — Lorenzo Lucca, who will debut on Saturday, August 23 in Reggio Emilia in place of Big Rom? The facts speak for themselves: Napoli are looking for a forward. With only 13 days left until the transfer window closes, finding the right one will not be easy.
