Romelu Lukaku has reflected on the lifelong journey that has led him to the Champions League final, the comparisons between the current Inter squad and the treble-winning side from 2010, as well as making a prediction about Erling Haaland in a recent interview with CNN.
The Belgian international broke down in tears when talking about his late grandfather, who he lauds as his biggest inspiration.
Lukaku also told the US-network that growing up, he and his family could not afford to watch Champions League matches on television, but is now overjoyed at the prospect of being able to play in the final with Inter against Manchester City on June 10.
“I couldn’t watch (the Champions League final), but now, by the grace of God, I can play one,” he told the CNN cameras. “To be in this position now, to have my family there, it would be a beautiful thing.
“I promised that I would look after my mum, when I was 12, I did that. So every time when I look at my mum and I see her in the stands, I look to my grandfather after every goal. It doesn’t matter, wins or losses, I take it in my stride.
“When I see my son, I see so much of him. My grandfather, for me, was my number one. He was my biggest fan.”
The Chelsea loanee also spoke of his joy of being part of the Nerazzurri squad once again after such a successful first stint at San Siro, during which he and his teammates won the Scudetto under Antonio Conte.
“It was an emotional time because we really as a team, we spent so much time together,” Lukaku explained. “At that time I really spent much more time with my teammates than with my oldest son. Playing a game, going back to the hotel, staying in the room, watching games together, stuff like that.
Lukaku was also asked about the spirit in the Inter camp and whether he has noticed any similarities between the current squad and Jose Mourinho’s treble winning side of 2010.
He replied: “It’s very similar, and to be honest, the funny thing is a lot of those players from that 2010 band, they come and watch our games and they feel the same thing.
“It’s a beautiful thing, playing probably against the best team in the world. I just want to enjoy it, not having pressure, just enjoy the moment, enjoy the buildup, go there to have the best result possible.”
Leading the line for Inter’s opponents in the Champions League final will be the mercurial Erling Haaland, who is fresh off the back of a domestic double and a golden-boot winning campaign with Man City.
“I think he will dominate, with Mbappé, world football for the next 10 years,” Lukaku predicted. “They will be fighting from the new generation. They will really take over (from Messi and Ronaldo) in the next two years.”