Napoli's Romelu Lukaku reacts after an injury during a friendly soccer match between Napoli and Olympiakos at the Teofilo Patini Stadium in Castel Di Sangro, Italy, Thursday, Aug. 14 , 2025. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli striker Lukaku may need surgery on thigh injury

NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku may require surgery after sustaining a left thigh injury during a preseason friendly, the Italian champions said Monday.

The Belgium international was substituted in the 2-1 win over Olympiacos on Thursday.

Tests showed Lukaku has a “high-grade” damage to the thigh muscle in his left leg, said Napoli, which added that the striker “has already begun his rehabilitation program and will also undergo a surgical consultation.”

Napoli, which didn’t give a potential timeframe for Lukaku’s absence, begins the defense of its Serie A title against Sassuolo on Saturday.

Belgium will also be keen to know the seriousness of the injury to its all-time record scorer, with World Cup qualifiers scheduled for the team in September, October and November.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku is taken out after an injury during a friendly soccer match between Napoli and Olympiakos at the Teofilo Patini Stadium in Castel Di Sangro, Italy, Thursday, Aug. 14 , 2025. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)
Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku lays on the pitch after an injury during a friendly soccer match between Napoli and Olympiakos at the Teofilo Patini Stadium in Castel Di Sangro, Italy, Thursday, Aug. 14 , 2025. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

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