Roger Lukaku dead aged 58

The football community is in mourning following the death of Roger Menama Lukaku, the former Zaire international striker and father of Belgian stars Romelu and Jordan Lukaku. He passed away on Sunday in his hometown of Kinshasa at the age of 58.

The news was confirmed by his son, Napoli forward Romelu Lukaku, who shared a heartfelt tribute on social media early Monday.

“Thank you for teaching me everything I know. I’m forever grateful and appreciate you. Life will never be the same,” Romelu wrote. “Protecting and guiding me like no one else could. I won’t be the same. The pain and tears are flowing big time. But God will give me the strength to get myself back together. Merci pour tout.”

Roger Lukaku enjoyed a respected career as a professional footballer, playing mainly in Belgium during the 1990s. He featured for clubs including FC Boom, Seraing, Germinal Ekeren, KV Mechelen, and KV Oostende, before having a spell in Turkey with Gençlerbirliği.

On the international stage, he earned 11 caps for Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) and represented his country at the African Cup of Nations in 1994 and 1996.

Tributes have since poured in from fans and the wider football community, remembering Lukaku not only for his career but also as the father of one of the world’s most recognized footballing families.