Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku has suffered a serious thigh injury which may require surgery, the Serie A side announced on Monday, as media reported the Belgium forward may be sidelined for weeks.
For a club that is not only defending its Serie A crown but also preparing for a demanding Champions League campaign, the timing of the setback could hardly be worse.
Romelu Lukaku underwent tests at Pineta Grande Hospital in Naples, which revealed a high-grade tear in his left thigh muscle. He has already begun rehab, but doctors must now choose between surgery—ruling him out until January—or conservative therapy, which could bring him back in two months but risks a longer setback into spring if it fails.
For Napoli, it’s a huge blow. Lukaku was meant to spearhead Antonio Conte’s attack, but his absence leaves only one senior striker, Lorenzo Lucca, to lead the line. Talented though he is, expecting him to carry Napoli through Serie A, the Champions League, and Coppa Italia alone is a daunting task
⚠️ Napoli are back on the market for new striker as reported yesterday, due to serious injury for Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian striker suffered muscle injury and won’t be available for the next three months at least. pic.twitter.com/fx5dWKYMg4
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2025
That leaves club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, sporting director Mauro Manna, and Conte scrambling for solutions in the transfer market. With less than two weeks before the window closes, Napoli must act quickly. Finding a replacement for Lukaku’s power, experience, and scoring ability is easier said than done. The market is inflated, options are limited, and time is running out. Whether they look for a stop-gap forward or commit to a long-term signing, the decision they make in the coming days could shape the course of the entire season.
The repercussions extend beyond Naples. Belgium will be keeping a close eye on their top striker’s progress, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States less than a year away. Lukaku has been the spearhead of the national team for years, often dragging them through difficult matches with his goals. A lengthy absence would not only derail his club season but could also raise questions about his fitness and sharpness heading into the biggest stage of them all.
For now, fans are left in limbo. Every possibility carries uncertainty: surgery guarantees months on the sidelines, while conservative treatment brings hope but also the risk of collapse. The decision between player and club will be made soon, but until then, Napoli supporters can only wait anxiously. What they do know is that Lukaku’s absence leaves a gaping hole in Conte’s plans and forces the club into urgent action in the transfer market.
The entire situation has become a test of Napoli’s resilience. Rivals may sense an opportunity, but the champions cannot afford to lose ground this early in the season. Whether Lukaku returns before the year ends or is kept out until spring, the impact of this injury will linger well beyond the medical reports. And as doctors debate, managers scramble, and fans hold their breath, the uncertainty remains—stretching into the weeks ahead, like a storm cloud over Naples.
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