Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has revealed an injury to Romelu Lukaku ‘doesn’t look good’ after the striker was forced off in his country’s heavy Nations League defeat to the Netherlands.
Lukaku’s right ankle bent awkwardly after it was caught underneath Man City’s Nathan Ake as the two players battled for possession in the 23rd minute in Brussels on Friday. The Chelsea forward tried to play on but was eventually forced off before the half-hour mark.
Martinez confirmed Lukaku had twisted his ankle and was likely out of Belgium’s three remaining Nations League games this international break. It brings a less-than-ideal end to what has been a difficult campaign for the forward.
The 29-year-old has flattered to deceive since a blockbuster £97.5m move back to Chelsea from Inter last summer, struggling for form before an injury, a bout of Covid-19 and a now-infamous interview with Italian media derailed his season.
Providing an update on his main frontman following the 4-1 defeat to the Dutch, Martinez told HLN: “It doesn’t look good. He twisted his ankle.
“We have to wait 48 hours for the MRI scan, but I would be surprised if he is still in action in the coming games. That is my feeling.”
Coincidentally, Lukaku was sidelined for more than a month with a similar injury to the same ankle during the 2021/22 campaign.
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While the Belgian will hope this latest problem won’t disrupt his preparations for next season, it remains to be seen where he will be playing his football.
90min understands Chelsea will not stand in the striker’s way if he pushes for a move, with Inter interested in taking him back to San Siro. Sources have also confirmed that Barcelona and Bayern Munich are keeping tabs on his situation.
