Lukaku receives best Belgian player abroad award

APPIANO GENTILE – A surprise and an award. The way in which he received it was unexpected, but it’s fully deserved. Romelu Lukaku has been named as the best Belgian player abroad in 2020 by the newspaper HNL. It’s a prestigious prize, especially given that big names like Courtois, De Bruyne and Hazard were all contenders. The handover of the award was carried out in a unique and surprising fashion at Appiano Gentile. After receiving video messages, Coach Antonio Conte presented the trophy.

Lukaku listened to the words of many people who have accompanied him during his football career. Dries Mertens recorded a message (“I thought I was going to win the award…” he jokingly said), as did Deschacht (“You deserve it after such a great season”) and Tielemans (“You really are a beast on the pitch, and I know that this is just the start of many more trophies in your career. I hope we can win the European Championship together”). And then, there was Lautaro Martinez (“Thank you for everything you do both on and off the pitch”). Lukaku's coaches also got involved, from the first he played under through to Martinez, the current Head Coach of the Belgian National Team. They all wanted to congratulate Romelu on this achievement.

The award itself was given to him by Antonio Conte: “I hope you win this trophy many more times, it’d mean that you’ve continued to do really well.”

Lukaku, meanwhile, had the following to say: “It’s an honour to follow in the footsteps of players who I’ve learnt so much from. It’s thanks to them that I’ve made it this far. I feel good, both when I play for Belgium and Inter.”