I am not a football enthusiast. I find myself watching the 2018 World Cup anyway. The reason is simple: I am genuinely moved by ordinary individuals accomplishing extraordinary things, and Belgium’s run in this tournament centres on one such person.
Why Belgium? Why Lukaku?
Romelu Lukaku. My interest is not rooted in football expertise. It is in recognising what he has overcome. I direct you to his personal essay if you want the full context — it is remarkable.
One quote captures his mindset: “People in football love to talk about mental strength. Well, I’m the strongest dude you’re ever going to meet. Because I remember sitting in the dark with my brother and my mom, saying our prayers, and thinking, believing, knowing … it’s going to happen.”
The Human Story
Every elite athlete practises hard and pursues excellence. That is not what makes Lukaku’s story compelling. What is compelling is the depth of his drive — where it comes from, what it was forged in.
There is a question worth asking about any endeavour: if your family’s future depended on your performance today, would your approach change? If the answer is yes, that gap is where the real work is.