Romelu Lukaku's time in Naples has come to an unexpected and rather quiet end. The Belgian striker won't be pulling on the Napoli jersey for the final two matches of the season, and fans hoping for a farewell appearance at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona will be left disappointed.
According to reports from Matteo Moretto (via SOSFanta), the 33-year-old has already cut ties with most of his teammates and parts of the Napoli management. Since the last international break, he's been shuttling between Belgium and Campania, creating an awkward distance that has only grown wider. After stepping away from international duty, he chose to rehab a hip injury in Antwerp without informing the club—a decision that reportedly led to a fine upon his return. But that wasn't the end of it. Another trip abroad followed, and now, it seems, his departure is permanent.
For a player who once carried Napoli to the Scudetto, this exit feels painfully abrupt. Lukaku's second and final season with the Azzurri has been a struggle from the start. A severe thigh injury early in the campaign kept him sidelined for most of the year, and he never found his rhythm. In seven appearances, he managed just one goal—a far cry from the dominant force he was last season.
What makes this situation even more complicated is the relationship with manager Antonio Conte. Despite recovering from injury, Lukaku was barely given a chance to prove himself. It's a messy divorce, and the Belgian is no stranger to those. But he's not the only one to blame here.
Looking ahead, Lukaku has one year left on his contract with Napoli. He's expressed a desire to stay in Italy, having enjoyed his time in Milan, but neither San Siro club has shown interest so far. A move within Serie A seems unlikely at this point, though the transfer market is unpredictable. Many teams will be searching for a center-forward this summer, and signing him won't break the bank. But for Lukaku to attract the right suitors, he'll need to shine at the World Cup. Under the guidance of Belgium's staff, he'll be working hard to get back into top shape.
For now, Napoli fans are left with memories of a champion who brought them glory—and a farewell that came far too early.