Romelu Lukaku’s Inspiring Journey From Poverty to Football Stardom

Romelu Lukaku grew up as the eldest of two children, with his brother Jordan, in a financially struggling household. His family, including his cousin Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo, was considered low-income in their neighborhood. His father, a former footballer, played in Belgium’s lowest league and earned very little. After his abrupt retirement in 1999, he had few savings and made a poor investment, leaving the family in dire straits.

Lukaku’s childhood was marked by poverty. His mother often borrowed bread from a local bakery, and the family frequently lived without electricity or hot water. Despite these hardships, Romelu and Jordan adapted, drinking diluted milk and eating borrowed bread daily. Known for his imposing presence on the field, Romelu was a formidable player from a young age, feared by his peers for his size and strength.

Our biography of Romelu Lukaku explores the facts surrounding his childhood, early life, parents – Adolphine Bolingoli Lukaku (his mother), Roger Lukaku (his father), family background, wife, lifestyle, personal life, and net worth.

In essence, we present the life history of a Belgian footballer who has carved out a significant reputation for himself in both club and international football.

This comprehensive account of Lukaku’s journey begins from his formative years to his ascent to stardom in the sport.

To give you a taste of what to expect in this engaging autobiography of Romelu Lukaku, we provide a vivid portrayal of his early life and rise through compelling imagery. This photo encapsulates his life history beautifully.

A formidable and physically imposing striker, Romelu Lukaku is renowned for leveraging his strength to outmaneuver defenders, a skill that proved pivotal in Inter’s victory over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Serie A title aspirations. Despite his numerous achievements, it has come to our attention that only a select few fans are familiar with a condensed version of Romelu Lukaku’s life story. With admiration for the striker, our team has meticulously crafted this article to delve into his journey. So, let’s delve into it without delay.

Romelu Lukaku Childhood Story:

For his biography, Romelu Lukaku is known by the nicknames “Rocky” and “the Tank”. Born Romelu Menama Lukaku Bolingoli on May 13, 1993, in Antwerp, Belgium, he is the eldest of two sons born to his parents, Adolphine Bolingoli Lukaku and Roger Lukaku. Romelu inherited his mother’s smile and his father’s facial features, reflecting a blend of both parents’ characteristics.

Growing-Up Years:

Romelu Lukaku spent his childhood alongside his younger brother, Jordan Zacharie Lukaku Menama Mokelenge. Born nearly a year apart, Romelu’s birthdate is May 13, 1993, while Jordan was born on July 25, 1994. They share a close bond and are nearly identical in height, as seen in the picture below.

Romelu and Jordan shared a strong bond from their early days, always playing together and ensuring they never faced the challenges of childhood alone. Their relationship was central to their upbringing, with Romelu cherishing the presence of two other important figures: his cousin, Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo, and his childhood best friend and neighbor, Vinnie Frans.

Vinnie, in particular, remained more than just a friend to Romelu; he was akin to another brother, maintaining a close connection with him even before Romelu gained fame in football. Their enduring friendship has been a cornerstone of Romelu’s life journey.

Childhood for Romelu, Vinnie, Jordan, and Boli was filled with nostalgic memories of playing together in a large water tub. These moments evoke a sense of warmth and fondness, reminding them of simpler times when they were carefree and bonded over innocent play.

During this period, Romelu’s early physical development, driven by his growth hormones, often made him appear older than his actual age, a characteristic that would shape his presence on and off the field in the years to come.

Romelu Lukaku Family Background:

In his neighborhood, Romelu Lukaku’s family was part of the lower-income class. His father, a former footballer, earned meager wages playing in Belgium’s lowest league. Meanwhile, his mother was a dedicated full-time housewife. Their financial situation reflected their modest means, contributing to a challenging upbringing for Romelu and his family.

Roger Lukaku faced the harsh reality of career retirement and poverty.

Playing for modest teams like FC Boom and other lower-division Belgian clubs meant Romelu Lukaku’s father, Roger, earned meager wages. Unfortunately, Roger didn’t manage to save enough for the future when his football career abruptly ended in 1999.

Upon his sudden retirement, Roger had scant savings to support his family. To compound their financial woes, he made an ill-fated investment that depleted what little money he had managed to set aside. This financial setback left the Lukaku household struggling to make ends meet.

Family Hardship:

Romelu Lukaku has vividly described the hardships his family endured during his childhood. He recounted how his mother would borrow bread from a local bakery when they couldn’t afford to buy it. The Lukaku family also went through weeks without electricity and lacked hot water for washing after Romelu returned from training.

He recalled a poignant moment when he realized the extent of their poverty. At six years old, during a school break, he returned home for lunch to find his mother mixing water with milk because they couldn’t afford to stretch it through the week. Despite these challenges, Romelu and his brother Jordan accepted their circumstances without complaint, often relying on bread and diluted milk for their meals.

In interviews, Romelu Lukaku has openly shared these experiences, reflecting on the sacrifices his family made and their resilience in the face of financial hardship.

Realizing the need to save his Family Situation:

From that moment, Romelu realized the severity of his family’s financial struggles. They were facing dire circumstances, and he felt a strong determination to take action and help his family as quickly as possible.

Beyond just lacking enough food, Romelu’s family also endured the hardship of living without electricity, which meant they had no heating in their home. To keep warm, his mother would boil water on a gas stove and use it to bathe Romelu and his brother Jordan by pouring it over their heads.

Romelu has openly shared his difficult childhood experiences in interviews and videos, highlighting the challenges his family faced and the resilience they showed during those tough times.

Neighbours turned away, and Only one Person offered help:

Did you know? Romelu Lukaku’s best friend since childhood, Vinnie Frans, had a mother who showed great compassion towards Lukaku’s family during their time of need. Mrs. Frans recognized the Lukakus’ struggles with poverty and was willing to provide support. Despite her efforts, other neighbors declined to offer any assistance, viewing the Lukakus’ hardships as unrelated to their own lives. Despite her best efforts, Mrs. Frans’ assistance alone was not sufficient to meet all of the Lukaku family’s needs.

Finally, hope for Lukaku’s Father:

Thankfully, Roger’s former club, FC Boom, remembered him and offered him a job as a trainer after he retired. This small opportunity provided him with enough income to support his family, including paying rent and improving their living conditions. FC Boom also assisted by providing a small car, which eased their transportation needs. While this job helped stabilize their situation with regular milk and electricity, the Lukaku household remained financially constrained, as coaching positions in football often come with modest pay.

With his modest income, Roger Lukaku displayed a generous spirit by regularly sending money to support his family back in Congo, Africa. Now, let’s delve into the next section of our biography to explore Romelu Lukaku’s roots in Belgium.

Romelu Lukaku Family Origin:

Roger, the patriarch of the family, began his professional soccer career in Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Seeking greater success, he later moved to Côte d’Ivoire, where he continued his football journey before eventually returning to Congo.

Upon Roger’s return, Congo was in a state of political instability. In 1990, the country, then under the rule of former dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, faced severe economic challenges and subsequent political turmoil. This unrest escalated into a full-scale civil war in 1992, further complicating the family’s circumstances.

Amid the backdrop of war in Congo, Lukaku’s father made the decision to flee the country with his wife Adolphine for Europe. Footballers like Denis Zakaria and Lios Openda also have Congolese roots. Lukaku’s Dad, Roger sought refuge and settled in Belgium with assistance from his uncle. Congo, formerly a Belgian colony, saw many Congolese migrate to Belgium during the colonial era in search of improved living conditions.

An overseas Congolese community began to take shape in Belgium, prompting Lukaku’s father to choose the country as their new home. Upon their arrival in Antwerp, Roger started playing in the lower Belgian league to make ends meet. Meanwhile, Adolphine was pregnant with Romelu during their settlement in Belgium, giving birth to him in 1993, followed by Jordan in 1994.

Romelu Lukaku Education:

At the age of six, Romelu Lukaku began attending school with his best friend Vinnie, where they encountered a diverse group of classmates. Despite his outgoing nature, Lukaku struggled academically due to difficulties with concentration.

Romelu found much greater joy playing football with his brother Jordan and friend Vinnie in their neighborhood than focusing on his studies. The football field adjacent to his family home, pictured below, holds special significance as the place where Romelu first honed his skills in the sport.

Similar to Marcus Rashford, young Romelu Lukaku participated in his school’s feeding program. In a photo with his best friend Vinnie and other classmates, Romelu, who was noticeably larger than his peers, eagerly prepared to enjoy their school meal together.

Lukaku suffered Racism in School:

Described as a humble boy, Lukaku never found himself in trouble with other school kids. However, due to his black heritage and larger physical stature compared to his peers, Romelu often became a target of negative stereotypes.

Only one person truly understood the extent of the racism he endured at school: his best friend, Vinnie. According to Vinnie, Romelu Lukaku was frequently blamed for almost every altercation.

In an interview with Daily Mail-Online, Vinnie shared Romelu’s school experience, saying, “Belgian star Romelu Lukaku faced racism at school. He was always presumed guilty because he was ‘that big black boy’. In truth, he was the most well-behaved boy I knew, someone who would never harm anyone. It was often others who started trouble, often with racist remarks.”

Disappointed in his Dad:

Romelu Lukaku spent a significant period at Chelsea fighting to secure the release of his father, Roger, from a Belgian prison. Roger had been sentenced to 15 months for assaulting a woman and keeping her in the trunk of his car.

Romelu was shocked by the verdict, especially since he had not attended the trial. He argued that while the woman had been a former lover of his father’s, she had likely fabricated parts of her story.

Roger Lukaku was supposed to attend his trial but claimed he hadn’t been informed. Romelu was disappointed when Belgian authorities discovered that his father had relocated within Brussels to avoid his trial, which resulted in his swift arrest and sentencing.

“My client was sentenced simply because he didn’t appear in court,” his lawyer stated. “He doesn’t deserve to be in jail.”

“His wife is suffering, but his two sons, Romelu and Jordan, are doing everything in their power to secure their dad’s release as soon as possible.”

“Mr. Roger Lukaku lodged an appeal while in jail in an effort to have the case retried. However, all attempts were unsuccessful. He was ultimately released after serving 15 months.”

“His time in jail took a toll on his health. Originally facing a more severe punishment for evading court by relocating, Romelu Lukaku intervened by securing the best legal representation for his father.”

“Romelu’s efforts to support his father affected his football career, contributing to a period of low performance at Chelsea.”

“These challenges, coupled with his father’s personal issues, strained their relationship.”

Romelu Lukaku Julia Vandenweghe Love Story:

As of now, the tall and robust striker is happily married to his lovely girlfriend, Julia Vandenweghe. They share a deep and affectionate bond with each other.

Julia Vandenweghe and Romelu Lukaku openly display their affection for each other in public.

He proudly shows her off everywhere they go. They’ve been together for several years, and everyone who knows them believes marriage is in their future.

Julia is completely comfortable with Romelu’s size and presence. Her comfort can be attributed to six reasons: Firstly, his genetics; Romelu is seen as a potential partner capable of producing healthy offspring. Secondly, security; his muscular build makes her feel safe and protected. Thirdly, Romelu is a reliable provider, caring for her and meeting all her needs.

Fourthly, Romelu is a stylish and attractive boyfriend, which Julia considers a significant advantage.

In addition to his handsome appearance, Romelu is wealthy and financially secure. What more could she ask for?

They enjoy their best moments together at outdoor events. Julia is undoubtedly a beautiful girl with stunning curls and flawless skin.

She previously worked as a Leisure, Travel & Tourism Professional in Belgium, and before that, she was in customer service at Costa Crociere.

Romelu Lukaku encouraged her to resign and has since supported her in becoming an entrepreneur in her field of work.

How Romelu looked like at age 10:

Everyone would say they were fortunate not to have played against him. If you remember playing football as a kid with someone your age who seemed much bigger and intimidating, that’s how Romelu Lukaku appeared at just 10 years old.

He was someone everyone feared because he was always the biggest guy on the field. Romelu looked like he could stay in goal and intimidate any attacker trying to score.

He still possesses that immense physical presence, now on the opposite side of the pitch in an attacking role.

Untold Football Story:

Lukaku joined his local football team, Rupel Boom, upon approaching the age of five. After spending four seasons there, scouts from Lierse SK, a Belgian Pro League team with a well-established youth academy, discovered him.

Lukaku began his football journey at Rupel Boom, where he played until he was scouted by Lierse SK, scoring an impressive 121 goals in 68 games from 2004 to 2006. After Lierse’s relegation, Anderlecht acquired him along with 12 other youth players in the 2006 mid-season, where he continued his youth career with 131 goals in 93 games.

At just 16 years old and still in school, Lukaku made his professional debut, later becoming the top scorer in Belgium for the 2009–10 season as Anderlecht clinched the league title. He also earned the Belgian Ebony Shoe award in 2011. Lukaku then moved to Chelsea during the 2011 summer transfer window but initially struggled for regular playing time, spending subsequent seasons on loan at West Bromwich Albion and Everton, where he eventually signed permanently for a club-record £28 million in 2014.

On the global stage, Lukaku debuted for Belgium in 2010 and has since earned more than 50 caps, showcasing his talents in prestigious tournaments such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016.

Winning the Ebony Shoe Award:

The Ebony Shoe award is an annual football honor in Belgium, given to the best African or African-origin player in the Belgian Pro League. The jury includes league club coaches, the Belgian national team manager, sports journalists, and honorary jurors.

As of 2014, Mbark Boussoufa (with three wins), Daniel Amokachi (with two wins), and Vincent Kompany (with two wins) are the only players to have won the Ebony Shoe award multiple times.

The origin of his love for Chelsea FC:

Lukaku recalled,

During our school break in London, we had three days off to explore various museums. To my surprise, our visit included Stamford Bridge. At 16, already a player with Anderlecht, it was a dream fulfilled to step onto the grounds where my idol, Didier Drogba, once played. Since that moment, the dream of playing for Chelsea FC never left me. Since I was 10 years old, I imagined meeting legends like John Terry, Frank Lampard, and my hero, Didier Drogba. Witnessing my dreams unfold before my eyes was truly incredible.

Visiting his old School:

Romelu Lukaku holds a BSc in Public Relations. He once shared that balancing university studies with his football career was incredibly challenging. “It was tough managing both. There were times when I had 12 exams coinciding with the play-offs in the Belgian league. Having exams in the middle of such critical games was really stressful,” he said. Despite these obstacles, Romelu is proud to have completed his degree, stating, “I’m really happy I made it through.”

Romelu Lukaku takes time to visit his community primary school to inspire the next generation of football-interested children. He emphasizes the importance of not giving up on their education while pursuing their football dreams. Lukaku shares this message while fulfilling his duties as a Kick It Out Ambassador.

Romelu Lukaku Biography -How Pastor David Helped Him Overcome his Fears:

It was Pastor David Luis who prayed for him during his trying times with Chelsea FC.

When he is down, Romelu sees David Luiz at his side to console him and advise him to keep his head up. That action speaks volumes as to why he respects him to date.

Today, it is said that his prayers for Lukaku paid off. Beyond reasonable doubt, there is power in prayers. Though God chooses those he wishes to bless them. For Romelu Lukaku, God’s blessed came upon him afterwards.

According to Lukaku, “David Luiz advised me that sometimes I need to lose in order to win the future! He told me to make a decision.

He told me I might need to leave Chelsea for a smaller club. That I was the only reason for a great comeback in my career. I obeyed everything he said, and it came to pass”

This advice came when Romelu Lukaku felt distraught when he missed the final penalty of an important shootout for Chelsea.

Playing PlayStation 4 on the Train:

Romelu Lukaku and Belgium teammates Kevin Mirallas are not just close friends. They are also addicted to the PlayStation video game.

Both players are fond of taking both TV and PlayStation 4 on the train to play while they journey to away games.

Lukaku is the top flight’s most multilingual player. The 23-year-old speaks Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese, English and also understands German.

Romelu Lukaku Paul Pogba Basketball Game:

Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku are good friends and age mates. They love to show off their fit masculine frame and abs as they often times played basketball during holidays.

Here is a video of Lukaku going against Thierry Henry in Basketball.

Romelu Lukaku Bio – Scoring More Goals than Anyone in the World:

Lukaku has scored 125 goals in his career at the time of writing. At the same age of 23, C Ronaldo scored 110, Luis Suarez scored 107, Wayne Rooney scored 100, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored 65.

Romelu Lukaku Wierd Facts:

(1) Lukaku carried his mum home from the hospital after she gave birth to him.

(2) When Lukaku does press-ups, he doesn’t push himself up, he pushes the world down!

(3) When Romelu Lukaku arrived late to training, Roberto Martinez punished all the other players for coming early.

(4) Ghosts sit around the campfire and tell Romelu Lukaku stories.

(5) When Alexander Bell invented the phone, he had three missed calls from Romelu Lukaku.

(6) The dark is afraid of Lukaku.

(7) Paul Scholes can hit a tree with a football from 50 yards away, and Lukaku can hit Scholes with a tree from 100 yards away.

(8) Children are warned not to run with scissors. Scissors are warned not to run with Lukaku.

Romelu Lukaku Rankings:

Lukaku wants to be known for his goals, technique, speed and fast-finishing style. Here is Rankings.

Appreciation Note:

Thank you for taking out time to read our Bio on Romelu Lukaku. We strive for accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver football stories of the Red Devils.

Indeed, you will find the story of Roméo Lavia and Amadou Onana as super exciting.

Please reach out to us via comment if you find anything that doesn’t look right in our memoir of the Big Belgian.