LUKAKU FEVER HITS 90 DEGREES!
- Romelu returns like a King and changes his number.
- Crowds of fans, medical exams and contract signing. “I will do better than before, I promise joy and goals and this city is my home.”
- Pact for victory with Inzaghi.
INTER-LUKAKU, NEW LOVE IS BORN
- Romelu returns as King and chooses number 90: “I will do better than before… I will give goals and joy, I promise.”
- Medical, contract signing, huge crowds for Lukaku who is back in Milan.
- “My loan was impossible but… Zhang and Inzaghi were decisive for me. This city is my home.”
Milan - The destiny of man is often hidden in numbers. Romelu Lukaku, the new number 90 for Inter, returned right at the 90th minute of this insane match. Unexpectedly in the last minute which means the goal is just more beautiful. Since yesterday, the Belgian has begun his second Inter career wearing a number that he has never tried before - “his” old number 9 is on Edin Dzeko’s back - and he did it with a huge heart. “I feel strong emotions, my story here was and will always be for the good of the team, the fans and myself. This club has given me a lot and I hope to do better than the first time…,” said the Belgian at the end of the day in which he completed this incredible return to the Nerazzurri. This whole “match” started a long time ago, and yesterday the last formal steps were made: Rom passed medical, signed contract but more importantly he took back his old happy life. The paid one-year loan of €8M plus €3M in bonuses to Chelsea is simply a transfer market miracle: “The fans, teammates and the opportunity to work with Simone Inzaghi convinced me: now we must continue the path of last season with him.”
Prodigal son - The last time that Romelu appeared in front of a group of adoring and screaming fans was on May 23rd, 2021: from the San Siro tower, the crowd outside the stadium cheered their King who became champion of Italy. Yesterday, around 3:00 pm local time, it was like a strange déjà-vu: at the top of CONI HQ in Milan, there was him beating his hand on his heart, below there were many fans chanting his name. Then the party moved to Inter HQ. “Look who I have here,” Steven Zhang began in an Instagram post. “I’m back, thanks for the trust…,” Big Rom’s response as he entered the frame. “It’s like a déjà-vu, isn’t it? Do you remember three years ago? Up here? Unbelievable.” The two exchanged happy words. So suddenly, the farewell of last year disappeared from everyone’s mind, no more controversy, no more disappointment. The only thing counted was the return of the prodigal son, a gentle giant capable of destroying any defense in front of him. This return, he also helped by cutting his wages. Thanks to the Growth Degree, Rom will earn €8.5M, a third less than in London. Even his teammates appreciated this gesture: “I talked to them all and I thank them. Everyone of them pushed for me. They are my family, my brothers. I’m not an individualist, I want Inter to win. I will do everything every day to give joy to them and the fans.”
90 - More than 200 fans were chasing Lukaku around the city from Humanitas, to CONI, and finally to Inter HQ where the signature arrived. And that is a sign of forgiveness although apparently not from Curva Nord which was only present to welcome Kristjan Asllani who was at CONI at the same time as Big Rom. They will need time, but the fact that so many people have already pulled out the old number 9 shirt, stored for a year in the attic, that in itself means a lot. Of course, it will have to be updated, a “0” must be added. “He is our weapon, a 90-caliber gun…,” Zhang himself revealed on social media. “I also have to thank Steven, it seemed impossible to go back but we did it,” said the Belgian.
In destiny - Zhang was one of the first to call Lukaku after his landing at Linate airport at dawn. For the center forward, a special day began with Roc Nation President Michael Yormak and his trusted man Andrea Opipari. He then dined with them at one of his favorite restaurants before returning to his old home in City Life. But this is more than a home, more like a safe haven: “Staying here in Milan again is like going home, my family and I had a good time here. I did not leave my aparement when we went to England,” concluded Romelu. From July 13th on, he will also rediscover another piece of his heart: training ground in Pinetina and the start of training camp with the number 90 on his back. This is his new destiny. One that President Zhang predicted on the top of HQ: “You will score many goals at the San Siro right?” “That’s why I’m here,” Lukaku responded. “I keep my promises you know…” “Thanks for coming back.” Thanks for wanting me again, Forza Inter.”