Romelu Lukaku has again sparked controversy after discussing his high-profile move to Chelsea and subsequent return to Inter in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws.
The Belgian striker joined the Blues in August 2021 in a deal worth around €113m, but failed to impress during his first season in West London, managing just eight goals in 26 Premier League appearances.
What really derailed Lukaku’s return to Chelsea was an interview he gave to Sky Sports Italia in the early months of the season, discussing his love for Inter and apologising to the fans for his exit, promising to come back in the future.
Lukaku returned to Inter last summer on an €8m loan deal with no buy option attached. After a slow start, dealing with injuries and poor fitness, the Belgian has finally started to show flashes of his brilliance once again.
Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws, Lukaku first discussed the idea of holding the Champions League trophy in one hand and his children in the other.
“I am very relaxed, you know. Even when the referee ended the semi-final. I wasn’t super euphoric. OK, it’s my first Champions League final. Nice. In the past, I would have walked all over the pitch shouting loudly.
“It’s not that I’m fixated on that final. We have other goals. The Coppa final, for example. I live from day to day these days.”
He touched on his relationship with the Inter fans and what that means for him.
“They know I give everything for the club. I feel like one of them. The first final I remember from my childhood is Inter’s against Lazio in Paris (in the UEFA Cup in 1998, ed.). Ronaldo scored then. You had at Inter Ronaldo, Adriano, …”
The 30-year-old reflected on his €113m move to Chelsea and return to the Nerazzurri a year later.
“I was comfortable at Chelsea last season. But I knew then that if things didn’t work out at Chelsea, I still had Inter. When I re-signed there, I knew: this is where I belong.
“At Anderlecht I had the same. I take this club seriously. I want to try so hard. The people here see that. Being encouraged here is the best thing there is.”
Finally, Lukaku spoke about Thibaut Courtois’ work in the Champions League final last year and if he could be as decisive for Inter.
“I remember sending Thibaut a message before the final. That he was already the best goalkeeper in the world for me before that match. Afterwards, no one could prove me wrong. He is the absolute number one. He is always decisive.
“Again: I’m not really fixating on that final. We’re playing the final. Chill. The goal is achieved. First, I want to finish in the top four in Serie A and win the cup. After that, ask me about the final again.”