Football
ESPN staff 6y

FIFA doesn't recognise Romelu Lukaku all-time goals record for Belgium

Romelu Lukaku will have to wait to become his country's all-time top goal scorer -- despite Belgium already proclaiming him to be the record holder.

Lukaku scored twice in a 3-3 draw with Mexico on Friday, before netting the only goal in Tuesday night's victory at home to Japan.

The Belgian FA tweeted that the Manchester United striker had moved onto 31 goals for his country, taking him one clear of Bernard Voorhoof and Paul van Himst, who finished their international careers with 30 goals.

However, Lukaku is officially only on 28 goals after FIFA nullified an international friendly between Belgium and Luxembourg in which he netted a hat trick.

Belgium won the World Cup warm-up game 5-1 in Genk on May 26, 2014, but FIFA wiped it from official records after the Red Devils made seven substitutions -- one more than the permitted six. It also meant Adnan Januzaj's debut for his country was not recognised by FIFA.

Lukaku will have the chance to move closer to the 30-goal record when Belgium return to action with pre-World Cup friendlies in March next year.

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