Inter striker Romelu Lukaku will be hungry for revenge on the pitch after receiving the unwanted tag of a “World Cup flop” after his disappointments in Qatar.

This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who suggest that the Belgian will be more keen than ever to prove himself in 2023 after the doubts that his bad 2022 have raised.

Lukaku is expected to start this evening’s friendly match against Sassuolo.

The clash with the Neroverdi will be one final opportunity for the 29-year-old to hone his match-fitness for next week’s return to Serie A.

Ever since his return from Qatar, where an unfit Lukaku was unable to prevent Belgium from bombing out of the group stage, the striker has been working intensely in training to reach his best form.

The Belgian will be hoping that with the work he’s already done, this evening’s match against Sassuolo will be all that’s needed to put the final touch on his return to his best levels.

Inter will have a packed schedule fighting on multiple fronts, and Lukaku wants this to be an opportunity to prove that his best form is in front of rather than behind him, despite a World Cup to forget.