Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku is facing a significant injury concern after suffering a left thigh problem during a preseason friendly. The Italian champions confirmed on Monday that the Belgium international may require surgery following a “high-grade” muscle damage in his left thigh.

The incident occurred during Napoli’s 2-1 victory over Olympiacos last Thursday, which forced Lukaku to be substituted. The club revealed that the forward has already started his rehabilitation program and will undergo a surgical consultation soon. However, Napoli has not provided any specific timeframe for his return.

This setback comes just days before Napoli kicks off its Serie A title defense against Sassuolo on Saturday. Belgium’s national team will also be monitoring the situation closely, as they have crucial World Cup qualifiers scheduled for September, October, and November.