Lukaku embraces Belgium super sub role at World Cup he could have missed

Belgium's record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku considers himself lucky to be participating in the World Cup, given a season marred by injuries. "Normally I should never have been at the World Cup," Lukaku told reporters, reflecting on his limited playing time for Italian side Napoli.

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I'm just happy to be here because, if you look at my season and how it went, normally I should never have been at the World Cup.

Despite his fitness concerns, Lukaku has played more minutes for Belgium at the tournament than he did all season. He has embraced his role as a "super sub," coming off the bench to make decisive contributions. His impact has been notable, including forcing an own goal that led to Belgium's equalizer against Egypt and scoring a goal shortly after coming on against New Zealand.

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So for me, being here, playing, helping my team, making a difference, being decisive in a match, it's great. So yeah, like they say in English, go with the flow.

Lukaku acknowledged his current physical condition, stating he "looks short of full fitness." However, he remains determined to contribute in any way possible, focusing on finding spaces and being decisive when he enters the game. He highlighted the importance of substitutes paying close attention to the game's dynamics.

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I think that when you look at it as a substitute, you really have to pay attention together with the other players sitting with you on the bench.

As Belgium prepares to face Senegal in the round of 32, Lukaku urged his teammates to ignore external noise and concentrate on the challenge ahead. He described Senegal as technically and tactically strong, with the physical capacity to make a difference. "It will be a big challenge intensity-wise," Lukaku stated, predicting a "50-50" match.

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Technically they are very good, tactically they are very strong, physically they can make the difference, so for us it will be a big challenge intensity-wise.