“Not saying I’m Michael Jordan, but I needed ‘The Last Dance'”: Romelu Lukaku reveals his aspiration to reach GOAT territory like Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Belgium vs Portugal at Euro 2020

Romelu Lukaku shares how Michael Jordan serves as an inspiration for him and how much ‘The Last Dance’ influenced him.

While Michael Jordan is undoubtedly the greatest basketball player of all time, he is much more than that. Jordan is a part of this rare breed of athletes who managed to completely transcend sports. Like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, he is not just a basketball player, he is a cultural icon.  

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MJ personifies hard work, dedication, tenacity and grit. The passion and will to be dominant in every aspect of the game and to always work on getting better.

This was perfectly exemplified in Michael Jordans ‘Last Dance’, a Netflix docuseries which documents the Chicago Bull’s last season (1997-98). 

Despite issues in the front office, amongst team members, and multiple injuries, Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to win their 6th ring in 1998. The ‘Last dance’ documents the up and downs of their seasons along an almost maniacal hunger to win that seemed to possess Jordan delving deeper into his psyche as a competitor.  

Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku shares how ‘The Last Dance’ based on Michael Jordan inspired him 

Ahead of Belgium’s Match in the round of 16 of the European Championship against Portugal, Romelu Lukaku talked about how the ‘Last Dance’ has given him a lot of motivation. The 28-year-old footballer clearly had a lot to relate to with Jordan making the following statement.  

“When I saw ‘The Last Dance’ and Jordan talking about how he motivates himself, I thought to myself, ‘I’m not alone.” 

According to Lukaku, the docuseries made him realise that he and Jordan had the same sources of motivation, both employ outside criticism and doubt as fuel to push further and achieve more.   

“I’m not saying I’m Michael Jordan, but some people need that, I’m not the only one.” 

Lukaku will be facing Ronaldo in a much-anticipated matchup, the former will look to draw from the GOAT’ philosophies and beliefs to put on a memorable performance for his country. 

In order to be at the pinnacle of any field, one has to make sacrifices and take the road less travelled and while Michael Jordan’ achieved great things in basketball his struggle and success is also a testament to the strength of human will and belief.

Lukaku referring to Jordan docuseries points to the far-reaching impact Jordans career has had on generations of people from all over the world. 

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