Romelu Lukaku snubs Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo for LeBron James & Karim Benzema as Napoli striker picks longevity role models

Romelu Lukaku has snubbed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, favouring LeBron James and Karim Benzema, when naming his longevity role models.

• Belgian striker still going strong at 32
• Intends to play on for several more years
• Looking to sporting icons for inspiration

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Chelsea and Manchester United striker Lukaku is now 32 years of age. Time is still very much on his side when it comes to competing at the highest level. He proved as much when helping Napoli to the Serie A title in 2024-25.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The powerful frontman is also a centurion at international level, having collected 124 caps for Belgium and is only 11 efforts short of reaching three figures on the goal front. Lukaku has no intention of walking away any time soon.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  He is looking to iconic figures from the world of sport for inspiration, with Portuguese superstar Ronaldo still going strong with Al-Nassr at 40 years of age while also committing to a new two-year contract in the Saudi Pro League.

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT LUKAKU SAID

  Lukaku is a fan of footballing GOATs, but has told when asked if he can still improve with age: "Of course, we have the tools to always do better. I have a gym at my house. Messi, Ronaldo, [Robert] Lewandowski, and Ibra [Zlatan Ibrahimovic] are great, but my role model is Benzema, who won the Ballon d'Or after turning 32. You have to look forward with the right mentality. LeBron James says so too."