Kevin De Bruyne and Lukaku have been in outstanding form for the Red Devils in Euro 2020.
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has said that he would wager on Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne for the Ballon d’Or award.
The star duo has been in sublime form in Euro 2020, helping the Red Devils reach the quarter-finals.
Martinez said: f I gave you €100,” I ask Roberto Martinez, “would you bet it on [Romelu] Lukaku for the Ballon d’Or?”
“I would split €50 for Romelu Lukaku and €50 for Kevin De Bruyne. “I think both, in their roles, they’ve been the best in world football. So I hope that they can get the rewards that they deserve.”
Lukaku has built on his stellar form at Inter Milan, helping the club win the Serie A title while winning the MVP award for his individual contribution.
De Bruyne was equally impressive for Manchester City, who lifted the Premier League and EFL Cup.
Martinez lauds new-look Lukaku
Martinez also heaped praises on Lukaku, who has already scored three goals in the European Championship.
“We’re talking about a Romelu Lukaku that is more than a goalscorer since he moved to Inter. He arrived at the right club, at the right time, with the right coach [Antonio Conte] and has developed this incredible maturity.
“That is not just the goalscorer that we all know. He is someone that can affect the game; he can affect players around him. He can really really influence what you’re going to do on the pitch.
“He is still 28, the goalscoring records are amazing, but I think Romelu Lukaku has become a very mature footballer in the last 14 months.”
Martinez issues injury updates on De Bruyne and Hazard.
De Bruyne, who pulled strings from the midfield during the group stage, suffered what looked like a painful injury in the win against Portugal, forcing him to leave the field midway.
Martinez, who said that the midfielder’s injury could have got worse, wasn’t optimistic about the availability of De Bruyne and Eden Hazard – who also suffered a setback in his hamstring – for the quarter-final clash against Italy.
“The aftermath was very positive nonetheless. Because we felt that it could be a possibility that both players would be out of the tournament, and that’s been confirmed, that’s not the case.
“Obviously, we play on Friday, and that could be very close for both players to be available, but medically they can stay in the group, and they can carry on working.
“In the case of Kevin, I must admit, Kevin was very, very lucky in that challenge. It could have been a lot worse.”
