Double digits in both goals and assists: Lukaku becomes the second to do it after Salah

Romelu Lukaku may not match Mohamed Salah’s eye-popping numbers at Liverpool 27 goals and 18 assists in the Premier League this season but his own stats are nothing short of impressive.

The 31-year-old Belgian striker continues to deliver at the highest level, and on Monday night, he once again proved his value by leading Napoli to a dominant 3-0 win over Empoli. Lukaku scored one goal and set up two more, playing a direct role in every strike of the night.

That performance brought his season tally to 12 goals and 10 assists in 30 Serie A appearances making him the most productive defender-turned-forward in the league in terms of direct goal involvement. More importantly, it also placed him at the very top of the Serie A assist chart, ahead of big-name creators like Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic of AC Milan, and Lazio's Nuno Tavares, all sitting on eight assists.

Across Europe’s top five leagues, Lukaku’s contribution places him in elite company. He now ranks joint 10th in total goal involvements (goals + assists), behind some of football’s most celebrated attackers: Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane, Omar Marmoush, Mateo Retegui, Robert Lewandowski, Alexander Isak, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland. These are players who dominate headlines week in and week out, yet Lukaku is right there with them producing consistently, even if somewhat under the radar.

Statistically, he’s having one of his most complete seasons. While he has always been known for his goal-scoring ability, Lukaku’s evolution into a provider has added a new dimension to his game. He is not only finishing chances but also creating them linking up effectively with wingers and midfielders, and often dropping deep to draw defenders and free up space for others. His understanding of positioning and timing in the final third has been crucial for Napoli’s attacking system, and his unselfish play has helped bring out the best in his teammates.

Only Salah (18 assists) and Barcelona's rising star Lamine Yamal (11) have more assists across Europe’s top leagues than Lukaku, which speaks volumes about the Belgian’s impact this season. And while his creativity has stood out, he hasn’t neglected his primary job scoring. His goal against Empoli was not just important for the match, but also historically significant. It was Lukaku’s 82nd goal in Serie A, allowing him to surpass the legendary Diego Maradona, who scored 81 league goals during his time with Napoli. What’s even more remarkable is that Lukaku reached the milestone in fewer matches 159 compared to Maradona’s 187.

It’s a symbolic moment, especially considering Lukaku’s strong connection with Italian football and his pivotal role in previous campaigns with Inter Milan and AS Roma. The achievement adds another layer to his already storied career, placing him alongside some of the league’s greats in the record books.

Conte’s Confidence and the Title Race

Napoli manager Antonio Conte was visibly satisfied after the final whistle. The experienced Italian coach praised the team’s performance and pointed to Lukaku’s influence as a key factor behind their strong form. “We played very well today both in terms of possession and the number of chances we created,” Conte told DAZN. “The team has improved a lot. We’re only three points behind Inter and making life difficult for a complete squad. That’s something we can be proud of.”

Conte didn’t stop there. With his usual sharp wit, he took a moment to acknowledge the broader impact of the title race. “The newspapers and the media should thank us for keeping the title race alive otherwise, the season would already be over and fewer papers would be sold.”

Indeed, Napoli are currently the only team still within striking distance of Inter at the top of the table, and their resurgence is largely tied to Lukaku’s consistency and leadership on the pitch. His presence has brought balance to the attack and helped compensate for injuries and dips in form from other attacking players.

As the Serie A season enters its final stretch, Lukaku’s form could prove decisive in determining whether Napoli can close the gap and mount a genuine title challenge. Regardless of how the campaign ends, one thing is clear: Romelu Lukaku is still among the very best a complete striker, a selfless teammate, and now, the top assist provider in Italy.