Romelu Lukaku will not join the Belgium national team for the upcoming friendlies on American soil.
The 32-year-old Napoli striker has decided to focus on recovering from injury and maintaining his fitness. The Belgian Football Federation respected his decision and wished him well.
Belgium are due to play against the hosts USA and Mexico in their World Cup warm-up this summer, but Lukaku will not take part. His absence is particularly sensitive as he is the national team's record goalscorer with 89 goals in 124 matches.
He last appeared for Belgium in the 4-3 win over Wales in World Cup qualifying last June. after which he missed six international matches. Lukaku's season at Napoli has also been far from successful due to injury problems. The striker has played just seven matches in the tournament, never as a starter, with a total of 64 minutes on the pitch.
Lukaku is not the only one who has dropped out of the Belgian camp, after Leandro Trossard also declined the call-up