Romelu Lukaku has surprised the football world with a confession few expected. Despite having shared an era with icons like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Robert Lewandowski, the Belgian striker revealed that his greatest inspiration is another legendary footballer: Karim Benzema.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Napoli forward said he has always admired the playing style and evolution of the former Real Madrid striker, especially during the latter stages of his career. “Benzema is my role model. He won the Ballon d'Or when many thought he was finished. That inspires me,” said Lukaku, who recently turned 32 and still has a strong desire for titles.

Beyond the Names: A Vision Shared with LeBron

Lukaku also revealed that he draws motivation from figures outside of football, such as NBA superstar LeBron James, who remains competitive at the highest level despite being nearly 40 years old. “Mentality is everything. You have to look ahead with ambition, like LeBron does. Age doesn’t define you — your attitude does,” he added.

Lukaku’s choice to single out Benzema over Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo has sparked plenty of debate on social media, where fans have rushed to discuss his surprising preference. However, the Belgian forward made it clear that his admiration goes beyond trophies: he respects the Frenchman’s resilience, as Benzema had to wait years before becoming the main star at Real Madrid.

Currently, Lukaku is enjoying a football resurgence under Antonio Conte at Napoli, where he played a key role in securing the Scudetto last season. His performance has notably improved after several years of criticism and instability.

Meanwhile, his former teammate Giovanni Simeone is also bidding farewell to Napoli, leaving behind an emotional story that reflects the power of chasing dreams. The Argentine, now a Torino player, scored on his Champions League debut against Liverpool, at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium — a dream come true that he had envisioned since tattooing the competition’s logo on himself at the age of 13.

Both Lukaku and Simeone may walk different paths, but they share the same spirit: perseverance and love for the game. And if Lukaku continues to follow in Benzema’s footsteps, his best football may still be ahead of him.