Croatia icon Ivan Rakitic has ridiculed Romelu Lukaku ’s World Cup nightmare by offering him a free month’s holiday in Split.
The on-loan Inter Milan striker was introduced as a half-time substitute by Roberto Martinez as Belgium attempted to scramble through to the next round. They needed to find a winning goal against Croatia at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Friday afternoon to stand any chance of securing a place in the last-16 of the tournament.
He endured a horrendous 45 minutes having arguably missed four clear-cut chances to score a winning goal. The former Chelsea striker at first hit the post with a wonderful opportunity before lifting a header over the bar.
His inability to find the net continued throughout the game as he failed to convert a cross from only yards out before then also letting another centre hit him when it looked easier to score. In the end, scores ended level with Belgium failing to progress.
Lukaku was left in tears come the full-time whistle and was comforted by former French international Thierry Henry, whilst he also let his frustration out by punching the dugout. Former Croatia midfielder Rakitic has rubbed salt into the striker’s wounds with a savage message.
Taking to Instagram, he said: “Let’s go Lukaku! We have to pay him a month of vacation in Split. Let’s go!”
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It appears highly unlikely that Lukaku will take up Rakitic’s savage offer as he joins his team-mates in leaving Qatar before the round of 16 even gets underway. The 29-year-old will return to Inter Milan and hope to finally get his season up and running once Serie A comes back after the World Cup break.
Injury has limited Lukaku to just five appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring two goals in that time. He gave his verdict on the game and his misses after the final whistle.
"Of course I'm disappointed, we're eliminated, we're out of the competition. I'm a striker and I would have liked to do my job and score, and help the team,” Lukaku said.
"It's disappointing to go out like that ... Belgium had to play better. I'm not going to say that we don't deserve to be out, but we should have played better. Everything is disappointing."
Meanwhile, Leicester defender and Belgium teammate Timothy Castagne has leapt to his defence. He said: "I wouldn’t say he’s [Lukaku] the anti-hero because he’s there for the chances, he also creates them, he gives, he keeps the ball.
"Maybe if he’s not there, we don’t have those chances. I don’t think we can blame him, he gave everything, he tried. If it doesn’t go in, it doesn’t go in."
