Romelu Lukaku is selected in Belgium’s World Cup squad despite having played only around an hour of competitive football this season. Multiple reports say his limited playing time comes after injury setbacks that cause him to miss much of the campaign. Despite his absence from regular matches, Belgium still include him in the final squad for the tournament.
BBC Sport reports that Belgium name Lukaku despite an absence from Napoli, indicating he has not been a regular presence for his club. The Independent similarly states that he has missed most of the season due to injuries, emphasizing how little football he has played recently.
All accounts focus on the contrast between his squad inclusion and his current match fitness and workload, citing the very small amount of competitive action he has managed. The reports do not present details on a specific late return or how quickly he has recovered, but they agree that the selection occurs at a time when he has had limited availability.