Roger Lukaku, Ex-Congolese Footballer and Father of Romelu and Jordan, Dies at 58

Roger Menama Lukaku, the former Congolese footballer and father of Romelu and Jordan Lukaku, has passed away in Kinshasa at the age of 58. Many know him today as the father of two international stars, but Roger’s own story is worth pausing for. He wasn’t just a footballer. He was a guide, a father, someone people still talk about, even now.
Roger was born on June 6, 1967, in Kinshasa. Vita Club is where it all began. Then came Africa Sports in the Ivory Coast. That’s where he started to get noticed, slowly, bit by bit. But Europe was different. A big leap, terrifying, exciting, confusing, all at once. That move changed everything. Not just his career, but the life of his family, too.

From Kinshasa to Europe: Roger Lukaku’s Football Journey and Life Beyond the Pitch

Roger moved to Rupel Boom FC in Belgium in 1990. It was a new country for him, and football was played differently. But Roger got on with it. Over the years, he went to Seraing, Germinal Ekeren, KV Mechelen, and Oostende. Even a short spell in Turkey with Gençlerbirliği. Each club came with a challenge. On the international stage, Roger played for Zaire, now DR Congo. With thirteen caps and six goals, he played the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 and 1996. Life off the pitch wasn’t simple. Moving to new countries, learning new ways of life, and figuring out what would come after football, but Roger had this quiet stubbornness. A man who let his actions speak louder than words.

A Father’s Legacy: The love and lessons learned

His family was his real pride. He didn’t just coach Romelu and Jordan in football; he shaped how they faced life. He taught them to work hard, to keep going when it gets tough and never to give up. Romelu discusses how his father’s advice helped him stay grounded. Jordan learned the same lessons, mostly by watching his father live them every day. When the news came, people started sharing memories. Fans, teammates, everyone remembered him as someone steady, someone decent. Romelu’s post about his father showed it best: the sacrifices, the guidance, the love. Roger’s story isn’t just about football. It’s about his passion and about his family. From the streets of Kinshasa to stadiums across Europe, he lived it all. He’s gone now, but he’s still there. Not just memories, but instead a legacy. One that will stick around for a long, long time.