Why former Chelsea striker Lukaku rejected Victor Osimhen's number 9 jersey at Napoli

Italian newspaper La Repubblica, via Calcio Napoli, in its print edition on Wednesday, has explained why former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku rejected wearing the number 9 jersey at Napoli.

Napoli's number 9 shirt was worn by Nigeria international Victor Osimhen for four straight seasons, after joining the Blues from Lille in France four years ago.

After failed deadline day moves to Al-Ahli and Chelsea, Napoli stripped Osimhen of the number 9 jersey and reportedly handed it to Lukaku, who reunited with his former coach at Inter Milan, Antonio Conte in the summer transfer window.

However, Lukaku refused to wear the number 9 kit and decided to take the number 11, which became vacant after Morocco forward Walid Cheddira joined Espanyol on loan on August 27.

Per the report, the Belgian decided not to take the number 9 out of respect to Osimhen.

The number 9 is seemingly Lukaku's favorite shirt number, considering the fact that he wore it at Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester United.

This is the first time in his career that the Belgian international has been given the number 11 jersey at the club level, although he has worn this number for his national team before.

Napoli's number 9 jersey is still available despite Osimhen moving to Galatasaray on loan for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season.

The prestigious jersey has been worn by Fernando Llorente, Gonzalo Higuaín, Nicola Amoruso, Daniel Fonseca, Gianfranco Zola and Ramon Diaz in the past.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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