WATCH: Romelu Lukaku gets ‘40,000 whistles’ reception at Inter with Roma as ultras defy ban on handing out gifts to home supporters

The Belgium international striker was once a fan favourite to San Siro, with Serie A title glory savoured back in 2020-21. After enduring a forgettable second stint at Premier League giants Chelsea, Lukaku returned to Milan on loan last season.

He was then linked with a move to Inter’s arch-rivals Juventus over the summer, before ending up back in Italy working under Jose Mourinho at Roma. Lukaku was never going to get a warm recerption from the home support when returning to familiar surroundings, with passionate supporters vowing to make his “life on the pitch hell”.

Inter ultras were ordered not to hand out whistles prior to a meeting with Roma, but that advice was ignored and Lukaku was welcomed onto the pitch for his pre-match warm-up by a deafening noise.

Lukaku knew what was coming and was able to see the funny side. He calmly applauded the Roma fans in attendance before going about his business with a smile on his face. Inter followers had, however, made it clear that they would whistle his every touch, with the 30-year-old forward unable to escape the most ear-splitting of sounds in the stands.