Romelu Lukaku has compared the relationship he has with Napoli boss Antonio Conte to that of NBA legends Phil Jackson and Shaquille O’Neal, Afrosport reports.
Conte joined the Partenopei last summer with Lukaku being one of his top priorities, preferring the big Belgian striker to Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen.
It proved to a masterstroke decision as Lukaku scored 14 goals en route Napoli winning a fourth Scudetto, including a goal in title-deciding match against Cagliari last Friday.
Lukaku and Conte have had a strong bond since both were at Inter Milan between 2019 and 2021, winning three titles including the Scudetto.
It draws parallels with the relationship Shaq had with coach Jackson during a seven-year period with the Los Angeles Lakers that produced three NBA championships.
It has been reported that Conte might leave the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this summer after falling out with the Napoli hierarchy but Lukaku wants the Italian tactician to stay.
CONTE
LUKAKU#4PARTHENOPE #SCUDETTONAPOLI pic.twitter.com/rayofdaxYB
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) May 23, 2025
Reflecting on how Conte convinced him to join Napoli, the 32-year-old said: “The call lasted 15 seconds. As soon as I saw his number, I immediately understood and got ready.
“He’s my Phil Jackson and I’m his Shaquille O’Neal.
“I want to enjoy this moment. I have a three-year contract and I will do everything to keep him [Conte] here/ I always talk to him, I told him to stay.”
Lukaku has now won two Scudetto while Conte has won five, three of them with Juventus.
