Romelu Lukaku: Roma Striker Closes In on Wayne Rooney Milestone After Brace Against Cagliari

• Romelu Lukaku scored twice as AS Roma beat Cagliari Calcio away from home
• The goals were the 363rd and 364th of the Belgian's career for club and country
• Lukaku is only three goals away from England legend Wayne Rooney's milestone

Romelu Lukaku may be one of the most underrated forwards in football and may not be regarded as a legend by many, but he has closed in on a career milestone of a legend.

Lukaku scored twice as AS Roma put their early season woes behind them and tore apart Cagliari 4-1, with Andrea Belotti and Houssem Aouar completing the rest of the goals.

As per the Athletic, the Belgian joined Roma on a season-long loan after turning down the chance to rejoin former club, Inter Milan, where he spent last season on loan.

He is settling nicely into life under Jose Mourinho and has found the back of the net seven times in eight games, including maintaining his goal-scoring streak in the UEFA Europa League.

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Lukaku closes in on Rooney's record

Per Wayne Rooney's official website, the Manchester United legend scored 366 goals for club and country and provided 188 assists in his decorated career.

Lukaku's goals yesterday, as recorded by Transfermarkt, moved him to 364 career goals, two shy of Rooney, who is highly revered in English football and has done it in 176 fewer games.

Both men played for United and Everton, moving directly across the clubs. The 30-year-old also bettered the former DC United head coach's international statistics with 77 goals to 55 in nine fewer games.

By the end of his career, the former Chelsea striker will undoubtedly have more goals than Rooney, though the former England international played across multiple positions.

Pellegrini questions Lukaku's move

Sports Brief also reported on Roma captain, Lorenzo Pellegrini questioning Lukaku's transfer to the club as rumours grew regarding the former Man United player heading to Rome.

The skipper did not doubt the Belgian's ability as a player but was unsure what he would bring to the team, adding he would rather wait and see before coming to any conclusion.