Romelu Lukaku has released a heartbreaking statement accusing people of "extorting" him by refusing to hand over his dad's body for a funeral
Neil Docking
19:49, 14 Oct 2025
COLOGNE, GERMANY - JUNE 22: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium reacts during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Belgium and Romania at Cologne Stadium on June 22, 2024 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
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Romelu Lukaku is grieving his father Roger(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Romelu Lukaku claims he was "extorted" by people who refused to hand over his dad's body for a funeral - leaving his family's "souls broken".
The Napoli striker has alleged that he and his brother Jordan, who plays for Lazio, won't be able to lay their dad Roger Lukaku to rest in Belgium as they planned. Roger, who played for Zaire (now DR Congo) and ended his career in Belgium, died last month at the age of 58.
Romelu posted an emotional statement on Instagram alongside a photo of him with his dad and brother on Tuesday, October 14, in which the former Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and West Bromwich Albion forward, who scored 121 Premier League goals, outlined his family's heartbreak.
He said: "As you may know, we planned to have the funeral this Friday, but because of certain decisions being made in Kinshasa (capital of DR Congo), the funeral will take place over there.
"Our dad passed away on the 28 of September and we as brothers tried everything to bring his corpse back to Europe but we felt that we were being extorted by some people.
Former footballer Roger Lukaku. Father of Romelu Lukaku.
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Former footballer Roger Lukaku. Father of Romelu Lukaku.
"If our father was here today he wouldn't accept it. It breaks our soul for us to not put our father to rest. But some people didn't want it.
"We understand know why our dad used to keep us away from a lot of people. God bless your soul."
Lukaku did not name who he alleges would not give them his father's body. The Belgian striker paid a touching tribute to his dad last month, when he shared a photo of them together when he was a child.
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The 32-year-old wrote: "Thank you for teaching me everything I know. I'm forever grateful and appreciate you. Life will never be the same. Protecting and guiding me like no else could. I won't be the same.
"The pain and tears are flowing big time. But God will give me the strength to get myself back together. Merci pour tout Roger Menama Lukaku Vieux Roy (for his friends). Mon Papa."
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His father played for Vita club in his homeland before joining Africa Sports D'Abdijan in Ivory Coast. He moved to Belgium in 1990 with second-tier club Boom and went on to play for Seraing, Germinal Ekeren, Mechelen, and Oostende, with his career also including a short stint in Turkey with Genclerbirligi.