From 'lazy' to 'worker': Lukaku reflects on career shift

Reflecting on his stint at Manchester United, where he was often unfairly labelled as "lazy", Lukaku admitted that the criticism never bothered him. "In England, they had the wrong idea. For them, I was lazy. But I never reacted to the attacks. I'm someone who does his job and goes home," he explained.

However, his reputation has taken a positive turn since moving to Serie A. Lukaku now finds himself regarded as a "worker" in Italy, a shift that he attributes to both his physical transformation and renewed focus. "I'm better than when I was at Inter. There I was 101kg, at Napoli now, 99kg," he said.

Lukaku's career has seen him play for some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Chelsea and Inter Milan. But his permanent move to Napoli in August 2024, for a reported €30 million, marks a fresh chapter for the striker in Serie A.

As he continues to settle in at Napoli, Lukaku is determined to show that his hard work and dedication are now being recognised for what they truly are. The change of scenery has allowed him to find new confidence and rekindle his passion for the game.