Sports

Lukaku nears Napoli return: ‘See you soon’

Published

1 hour ago

9 December 2025

epa12016519 Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku warms up ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli, in Bologna, Italy, 07 April 2025. EPA-EFE/SERENA CAMPANINI

Romelu Lukaku’s return to action is near as the Napoli striker waved at fans and media after an individual training session on the pitch: ‘See you soon.’

Napoli star Lukaku is expected to return to action before the end of the month, making his first appearance in 2025-26 against Udinese in Serie A or Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana semifinal.

Lukaku: ‘See you soon’

CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY - AUGUST 14: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli lies on the pitch after being injured during the pre-season friendly match between Napoli and Olympiacos at Stadio Teofilo Patini on August 14, 2025 in Castel di Sangro, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images) — CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli lies on the pitch after being injured during the pre-season friendly match between Napoli and Olympiacos at Stadio Teofilo Patini on August 14, 2025 in Castel di Sangro, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

This morning, Lukaku trained separately on the pitch, but looked in good mood and confirmed his return to action is close: “See you soon,” he told reporters while leaving the field.

Lukaku won’t be available for tomorrow’s Champions League game at Benfica, but according to Corriere dello Sport, he’ll be called up against Udinese or Milan.

When will Lukaku return to action for Napoli?

NAPLES, ITALY - MAY 23: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli scores his team's second goal whilst under pressure from Michel Ndary Adopo of Cagliari during the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) — NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli scores his team’s second goal whilst under pressure from Michel Ndary Adopo of Cagliari during the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Lukaku had to undergo surgery after suffering a high-grade thigh injury during a pre-season friendly in August, so Napoli rushed to sign Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United despite having welcomed Lorenzo Lucca earlier that summer.

Lukaku scored 14 goals in 38 matches in his first season at Napoli in 2024-25, contributing to winning the Scudetto.

Romelu #Lukaku di buon umore questa mattina a Castel Volturno.
Big Rom saluta la stampa, prima di iniziare il solito allenamento differenziato, e si lascia andare a un “Ci vediamo presto”.
Per lui sessione ad alta intensità e tiri in porta. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/XlewfubRs0
— Ugo (@Ugoc97) December 9, 2025