Serie A Striker Insists He Can Emulate Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku is confident he can make his mark in the sport just like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

After leaving Manchester United for Inter last year, Lukaku became one of Serie A’s best goal scorers. The Belgian has been exceptional in terms of scoring goals in the Italian top-flight and has now tied Brazilian Ronaldo’s Inter record of 34 goals in one season.

Following his incredible goal milestone, Lukaku is certain that he’s already a world-class player who is undoubtedly on his way to winning trophies.

“I’m one of the top five strikers in the world,” Lukaku recently told France Football. “I can’t do anything wrong from a tactical point of view or even the movements.”

“If Cristiano Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi or [Robert] Lewandowski have exceeded their limits, why can’t I do it too?” he added.

The 27-year-old also pointed out that after equaling “Il Fenomeno’s” 34-goal accolade, he is now focused on matching the Brazilian’s record of “100 goals” for the national team as well as winning individual honors.

“He [Ronaldo] scored more than 100 goals for the national team, it’s a bit early to make comparisons,” the former Red Devils striker stressed. “In Milan everyone was talking to me about Ronaldo’s 34 goals in his first season. I’m glad I matched it, yes. Now, I work to win trophies.”

Inter manager Antonio Conte also has high hopes for Lukaku. According to the Nerazzurri boss, his talisman hasn’t reached his full potential yet but is on the right path to becoming “one of the best” in the world.

"I believe he can still get stronger," Conte told DAZN. "I described him as a rough diamond when he arrived and felt that work would help him become one of the best strikers in the world.”

"He is on the right track, as he has everything, the physicality of a center-forward, but also the pace and power of an American Football quarterback,” he continued.

Apart from the Portuguese Ronaldo, Lukaku has been rivaling Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Serie A. However, while Ibra and Ronaldo have already established their names in the list of all-time greats, Italian soccer legend Paolo Di Canio, who was also a Serie A star during his playing years with Juventus, is not convinced Lukaku is up there yet.

“You don’t start 1-0 up with him [Lukaku], you don’t place him with [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Di Canio told Sky Sport Italia. “There are the top players and the good guys, and Lukaku is very good.”