World Cup 2022: Lukaku Cancels Holiday, to Return to Inter Early After Belgium Exit

World Cup 2022: Lukaku Cancels Holiday, to Return to Inter Early After Belgium Exit

Elijah Odetokun
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
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Didier Drogba logo
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Romelu Lukaku logo
R. Lukaku
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  • Romelu Lukaku will not go on holiday but will return to Inter Milan early after Belgium's elimination
  • Lukaku was subject of criticism after failing to take his chances and help Belgium qualify to the knockout stages
  • He has been battling with muscle injury which has limited his game time since the start of the season

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku was responsible for Belgium's exit at the Qatar 2022 World Cup after failing to convert clear goal scoring chances against Croatia.

Lukaku, who has been nursing an injury, came on as a second half substitute and was presented with four big chances, all of which he squandered in a must win match for Belgium.

Romelu Lukaku, Belgium, World Cup, Inter Milan, Qatar
Lukaku missed four goalscoring chances for Belgium eliminating them as a result. Photo by Francois Noel.
Source: Getty Images

The match ended in a draw and Croatia progressed alongside Morocco. It sealed the fate of Belgium's 'golden generation'' who failed on the big occasion once again.

No holiday for Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku will not proceed on a post World Cup holiday after an embarrassing outing in Qatar where he was a part player for Belgium due to injury.

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According to Football Italia, Lukaku will immediately return to Milan and join up with the club on their December tour in Malta. He will hope to regain full fitness which has limited him this season.

Lukaku is on loan at Inter Milan from Chelsea. He left Inter Milan to Chelsea for £97.5m over a year ago but after falling out with the club, he returned to Milan on loan but is yet to hit his previous form due to injury.

Drogba defends Lukaku against critics

Sports Brief earlier reported that Didier Drogba defended Lukaku against critics after the Belgian missed four open chances against Croatia which ultimately led to their elimination.

Romelu Lukaku, Didier Drogba, Belgium, Chelsea, World Cup
Lukaku and Drogba as Chelsea teammates. Photo by Darren Walsh.
Source: Getty Images

Drogba cited Lukaku's injury problems over the last two months and said expectations should not be placed on such an individual to carry the team's responsibility.

Drogba's defence may be wide off the mark as some of the chances missed by Lukaku were not down to fitness.

Authors
Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.