Napoli are considering disciplinary action after former Manchester United and Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku failed to turn up for training, the club has confirmed in a statement.
Lukaku, who joined Napoli in 2024 from Chelsea after two season-long loan spells at fellow Italian sides Inter Milan and Roma, has reportedly not to returned to training with the club after pulling out of Belgium duty due to poor fitness.
The club released a statement on Tuesday, which read: ‘Napoli announce that Romelu Lukaku did not respond to today’s call-up ahead of the resumption of training.
‘The club reserves the right to evaluate the adoption of appropriate disciplinary measures as well as the continuation of the player’s participation in the team on an indefinite basis.’
As per several media outlets in Italy, Lukaku – who has been training individually in Belgium without Napoli’s permission since leaving the international team – has been warned he could be left out of the first-team squad if he does not return by Tuesday.
The statement suggests Napoli’s response could be even stronger with club lawyers currently examining the case.
Napoli are considering disciplinary action after Romelu Lukaku failed to turn up for training
The striker has not turned up to training after pulling out of Belgium duty due to poor fitness
Explaining his absence on Monday, Lukaku admitted he has been struggling psychologically for the majority of the 2025-26 season.
Due to a series of injury problems and the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United, the Belgian has endured a frustrating campaign and featured only seven times across all competitions, scoring one goal as he fell down the pecking order.
His father Roger also passed away last September at the age of just 58.
‘This season has been a lot for me from dealing with the injury and the personal loss,’ the former Manchester United and Chelsea forward wrote to Instagram on Monday.
‘I know there has been a lot of noise about my situation in the last few days and it’s important to clarify the whole situation.
‘The truth is the last few weeks I wasn’t feeling right physically and I had it checked out while I was in Belgium and it showed me that there was an inflammation and liquid on my hip flexor muscle next to my scar tissue since it is the 2nd problem I had since coming back early November.
‘I chose to do the rehab in Belgium so I can help the when called upon. I think most of you saw the interview I did in Verona. There’s nothing more I would love to do than play and win my team. But right now I have to make sure I am clinically 100% cause I haven’t been recently and it took a toll mentally.
‘It’s been a lot this year. But in the end I will get there and help Napoli and national team to their respective objectives when called upon. That’s all I want.’
Napoli take on AC Milan next in Serie A, with just two points separating the in form sides
Napoli sit third in the league ahead of a huge Serie A clash against AC Milan after the international break, with Antonio Conte’s side just one point behind the Rossoneri.
Lukaku’s former club Inter Milan lead the title race with a six-point gap over Massimiliano Allegri, with eight games to go before the end of the season.
