Romelu Lukaku admits he wasn't mentally ready to take Belgium's last-gasp penalty vs Senegal as striker explains why Youri Tielemans stepped up for extra-time winner
Romelu Lukaku chose not to take a crucial penalty during Belgium's World Cup match against Senegal, citing mental fatigue and a lack of confidence. His teammate Youri Tielemans stepped in to score the winning goal.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the increasing focus on athlete mental health and the psychological pressures inherent in elite-level professional sports.
Romelu Lukaku has explained why he handed over penalty duties during Belgium's dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Senegal. Despite being the nation's all-time leading scorer, the Napoli forward felt unable to take the high-pressure spot-kick in the dying moments of the World Cup round of 32 clash. The decision cleared the way for Youri Tielemans to become the hero as the Red Devils completed a stunning comeback.
The article provides a factual account of a player's personal decision and the match outcome.
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