Lukaku's "No" to friendly games: Robust striker drops out of Belgium squad

International breaks aren't much loved among football fans, who would prefer club football, but if you ask players, they'll tell you that it's something they look forward to.

Going back home, perhaps catching up with their families and friends, and, of course, training, playing, and hanging out with compatriots from the national team - what's there not to like?

However, sometimes a player has to put his well-being in the first place and make a difficult decision to turn down a call-up.

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For instance, while a large group of Arsenal players (William Saliba, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard) stayed in London to focus on their recovery from injuries, Martin Odegaard decided to do the same - although able to play - and regain fitness, which Norway boss Stale Solbakken absolutely supported.

A few days after the Gunners' captain, Romelu Lukaku, made the same move and dropped out of the Belgium squad for friendly matches against the USA and Mexico.

The 32-year-old missed five months due to a hamstring injury and is slowly returning to Napoli's team, making seven appearances over the past two months, with highly limited playing time, though.

Hence, his decision to stay in Naples and work on his fitness and physical condition rather than travel to North America was natural and logical, especially given the crucial challenges that await him at both club and international levels.

After all, the trip to the same destination in three months will be much more essential than the one he skipped now, as Belgium boss Roberto Martinez will need the robust striker fit and ready to torment the defences of Egypt, Iran (if the Asian national team decides to participate), and New Zealand, with whom the popular Red Devils will clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage.