Romelu Lukaku considered international retirement after Belgium’s Euro 2024 exit to France | OneFootball

The Belgian National team enter a new era this Thursday when they face Ukraine under new manager and former Lyon and Marseille boss Rudi Garcia. There has been significant change in the nine months following the exit of the Red Devils at Euro 2024 to the hands of France (1-0). It was a match which nearly marked the end of striker Romelu Lukaku’s international career. The 31-year-old striker, who boasts 120 caps and 85 goals for Belgium, admitted on Wednesday that he contemplated retirement from international football after the tournament. The current Napoli revealed his thoughts, at a press conference transcribed by RMC Sport this week.“I thought about stopping after the Euro and the loss against France,” Lukaku revealed to the press. “I was very frustrated and told Jan Vertonghen that I wasn’t feeling it anymore. Too much had happened too quickly. But I couldn’t abandon my country.”

As recently as October, the Napoli forward had cast doubt on his international future, stating, “The fire no longer burns.” However, he ultimately chose to continue representing Belgium. This was reportedly after discussions with new boss Rudi Garcia and national team director Vincent Mannaert.

“During tournaments, I focus entirely on the team,” he said on Thursday. “Afterwards, it was difficult to digest the Euro. The atmosphere was quite toxic, and the results were not there. I don’t react well to defeat, but that has always been my strength too. Maybe I need to open up a little more.”GFFN | George Boxall