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

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.

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.

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.

Lukaku is a fan of footballing GOATs, but has told Gazzetta dello Sport 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."

Benzema is also in the Middle East, with title winners Al-Ittihad, and has no immediate retirement plans at 37 years of age. NBA icon LeBron, like Ronaldo, has passed his 40th birthday but remains an elite performer among the best in the business.