Romelu Lukaku's Mother Used To Take His Birth Certificate To Youth Games

In a remarkable interview with Mino Raiola, the super agent spoke about client Romelu Lukaku and the problems he had at youth level.

It was revealed that people watching the Belgian didn't believe he was of the right age.

Raiola goes on to describe how Lukaku's mum eventually brought her son's birth certificate to matches to prove he was the right age.

"Many people in sport think like that. I give a name, for example a Dutch player. Their first question is whether he is black or white. I ask what the hell does it matter? Do you think this happens in American sport? Scottie Pippen, is he black or white? Who in hell cares? Can he play basketball? Can he play soccer?

"For Lukaku, this has always been a problem.

"I was talking to his mother. Eventually she went to youth matches with birth certificate. She always ended up with other parents who did not think he was 12 or 14 years old. It was always a fuss that he scored three or four goals.

"He was bigger and physically strong, yes. But they screamed that it was not in the right age.

"So she took the birth certificate. He was born in Belgium, but they spread false reports he been born in Africa. 'Here it is', she said."

During his days at Anderlecht, the Belgian looked far older than his teammates and opposition, even towering above the referee during the game.

Now, he's bagging goals for fun in the World Cup, breaking records for his country.

What a journey it has been.