Romelu Lukaku Belgium goals: How close is he to Messi and Ronaldo?

Belgium arrived at Euro 2024 with a notably lighter burden of expectation, a rarity for their “Golden Generation” accustomed to carrying the weight of national hopes. Despite their star-studded lineup, which once included luminaries like Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany (now retired), and with Kevin De Bruyne possibly entering a new phase in his career, the absence of Thibaut Courtois from the squad has added to the sense of transition.

The tournament started on a shaky note with a surprising 1-0 loss to Slovakia, disrupting their Group E campaign. However, they rebounded strongly with a convincing 2-0 victory over Romania in their second match, setting up a decisive final game to secure a spot in the knockout stages.

Much of Belgium’s fate in this tournament could hinge on the performances of Romelu Lukaku. The towering striker, Belgium’s all-time leading goal scorer, capped off his 2023/24 Serie A season with three goals in his last four appearances for Roma. His ability to find the net consistently will be crucial as Belgium navigates through the challenges ahead.

Comparing Lukaku with the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of the greatest goal scorers in men’s football history, underscores his significance. While Messi and Ronaldo have set astonishing records and achieved global acclaim, Lukaku’s contributions, especially in major tournaments like Euro 2024, could solidify his place among football’s elite goal scorers.

As Belgium strives to advance and potentially contend for the Euros, Lukaku’s prowess will undoubtedly be a pivotal factor in their quest for glory.

 

Romelu Lukaku international goals total

As of June 26, 2024, Romelu Lukaku has solidified his legacy as Belgium’s all-time leading goal scorer, tallying an impressive 85 goals in 118 appearances for the national team. This places him comfortably ahead of Eden Hazard, who trails by 52 goals in second place.

Lukaku’s ascent in international goal-scoring ranks has been remarkable. He surpassed the legendary Ferenc Puskas to become one of Europe’s most prolific scorers, with only Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of him in the continent’s history of senior international goals. Lukaku’s international goal-scoring journey began with a strike against Russia in a friendly match back in November 2010.

Notably, Lukaku initially set Belgium’s goal-scoring record with his 31st goal against Japan in 2017. However, FIFA initially did not recognize this milestone due to a technicality involving a 2014 friendly against Luxembourg, which was declared void due to rule violations regarding substitutions.

On the grand stage of the 2018 World Cup, Lukaku showcased his prowess, finishing third in the Golden Boot standings behind Antoine Griezmann and Harry Kane. His performances not only underscored his scoring ability but also his significance in Belgium’s footballing landscape.

As Euro 2024 unfolds, Lukaku remains a pivotal figure for Belgium, continuing to add to his impressive goal-scoring record while aiming to lead his nation to further international success.