Chelsea striker, Romelu Lukaku has shared a poignant narrative from his childhood. This intimate glimpse into his formative years sheds light on the trials and triumphs that shaped him into the inspiring athlete the world knows today.
“I remember the exact moment I knew we were broke. I can still picture my mum at the refrigerator and the look on her face,” Lukaku recalls, as he opens up about a pivotal incident that remains etched in his memory. At just six years old, he returned home during a school break to his mother’s daily offering: bread and milk. Such a simple meal, yet Lukaku’s insight into their financial reality was profound. “When you’re a kid, you don’t even think about it. But I guess that’s what we could afford,” he reflects.
His mother’s resourcefulness, however, took center stage on that unforgettable day. As Lukaku walked into the kitchen, he observed his mother mixing something into the milk. A concoction of water and milk served as their altered meal—a poignant demonstration of their financial constraints. “She was mixing water in with the milk. We didn’t have enough money to make it last the whole week. We were broke. Not just poor, but broke,” he reveals, painting a stark portrait of their reality.
Further recollections reveal the everyday hardships that Lukaku and his family endured. Nights without electricity, the absence of hot water, and moments of needing to rely on borrowed bread from the local bakery underscored the challenges they faced. Through his narrative, he conveys the resilience that he and his mother summoned in the face of adversity. Theirs was a life marked by perseverance, an unyielding spirit, and a shared commitment to overcome the odds.
However, it was a moment of heartrending realization—the day he saw his mother diluting the milk—that sparked a fire within Lukaku. A determination to alter the course of their lives surged through him. “I didn’t say a word. I didn’t want her to stress. I just ate my lunch. But I swear to God, I made a promise to myself that day,” Lukaku passionately recalls. In that instant, the seed of ambition was sown. He had an unwavering vision, a driving force to elevate his family from their struggles.
This drive was underpinned by a sacred promise to his mother: “Mum, it’s gonna change. You’ll see. I’m going to play football for Anderlecht, and it’s going to happen soon. We’ll be good. You won’t have to worry anymore.” This vow, spoken with the purity of a child’s heart, was the genesis of a journey that would lead him to football stardom and beyond.
