To inspire the children

they grew up. Especially as people see us as role models.

“Sometimes we make mistakes, but at the end of the day, there are a lot of people on this Earth who grew up in much more difficult ways than we did. There is always a way out or a way to make it out. I found that football was my way out to help my family to live the life we have today.

“For me, I just don’t want my kids to grow up the way that I did. There is a lot of stuff that is still on my mind. I don’t want them, or my brother’s kids, to go through that. That is why I play football.

“At the end of the day, it is about inspiring people. You want to inspire the young generation and I want to inspire the young generation as well.

“There are a lot of kids from African descent across Europe. Their parents came to Europe for a better life but they grew up in difficult circumstances, so they do whatever they have to do to help their parents.

“I’m talking for those kids and also talking for other kids all over the world that look at me and try to know how I became the man I am today.”

On the subject of the Golden Boot, Lukaku professed indifference to the same extent as Harry Kane. He said that this was a chance for a Belgium team who have been together for 10 years, through the junior ranks, to achieve something. There was also a word for his Manchester United understudy, Marcus Rashford, in whom Lukaku clearly has great belief.

“Marcus is basically my working partner at United,” he said. “We do everything together and I try to help him as much as I can. He has a lot of qualities and for me, he is maybe the most complete No 9. He can do everything. In the next two or three years, you will see the best from Marcus because he can do everything a footballer needs to do. For me, I just try to help him in this process, and hopefully along the way, we can achieve great things together.”