Romelu Lukaku is one of Belgium’s most accomplished footballers, known for his powerful playing style and impressive goal-scoring record. While his performances for club and country have made international headlines, the striker has always preferred to keep his personal life away from the spotlight.
Among the few relationships linked to Lukaku, the most widely known is his long-term romance with Dutch model and interior designer Sarah Mens. The couple reportedly spent several years together before quietly going their separate ways. Since then, Lukaku has been connected with a few other well-known personalities, although he has never publicly confirmed most of those reports.
Here is a closer look at Romelu Lukaku’s former relationship with Sarah Mens and the dating rumors that followed.
Who Is Sarah Mens?
Sarah Mens is a Dutch model, interior designer, and entrepreneur. In the Netherlands, she is also recognized as the daughter of television presenter and businessman Harry Mens.
Although she comes from a well-known family, Sarah has built her own career in design and lifestyle. She has generally preferred to stay away from constant media attention, even during her relationship with one of Europe’s biggest football stars.
Her name became widely known across international football after reports linked her to Romelu Lukaku.
How They Met
According to published reports, Lukaku and Sarah Mens first met in Miami in 2016.
At the time, Sarah was working as a hospitality intern while Lukaku was spending time in the United States during the football offseason.
Their friendship gradually developed into a relationship, but unlike many celebrity couples, they chose to keep most of their romance private. Public appearances together were rare, and neither frequently discussed the relationship in interviews.
Five Years Together
Lukaku and Sarah Mens reportedly remained together for around five years.
Throughout that period, Lukaku experienced some of the biggest moments of his football career, including successful spells with Everton, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and the Belgian national team.
Despite the growing public interest surrounding the striker, the couple maintained a low profile. Sarah rarely appeared at football-related events, and Lukaku continued to avoid discussing his private life publicly.
Their approach helped them maintain privacy despite increasing media attention.
Family Connection
Sarah Mens is widely reported to be the mother of Lukaku’s eldest son, Romeo.
Although Lukaku occasionally speaks about the importance of family, he has consistently chosen to protect his son’s privacy by keeping him away from media attention.
The striker has often explained that family provides motivation throughout his career and remains one of the most important aspects of his life.
Even with his worldwide popularity, Lukaku has continued separating his professional career from his personal responsibilities.
The Breakup
Reports indicate that Lukaku and Sarah Mens ended their relationship in 2021.
Neither publicly discussed the reasons behind the separation, and both avoided making personal statements regarding the breakup.
Because they maintained such a private relationship throughout their years together, very little verified information became available after they went their separate ways.
Their decision to remain respectful and private has largely prevented unnecessary public speculation.
Shani Jamilah
Following his reported separation from Sarah Mens, Lukaku was photographed during a vacation in Sardinia with British travel and fashion influencer Shani Jamilah.
The photographs generated widespread media coverage, leading several outlets to describe her as Lukaku’s new girlfriend.
However, later reports suggested that the connection was brief and never developed into a long-term relationship.
Neither Lukaku nor Jamilah publicly confirmed that they were in a serious relationship.
Megan Thee Stallion Rumors
Another period of intense speculation came when Lukaku was seen alongside rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
The pair attended footballer Lautaro Martínez’s wedding, leading to widespread dating rumors across entertainment and sports media.
Both Lukaku and Megan Thee Stallion are represented by Roc Nation, leading some observers to believe their appearance together may have been connected through professional management rather than romance.
Neither party officially confirmed a relationship, and the rumors eventually faded without further developments.
Privacy First
One reason Lukaku’s relationships generate significant attention is because he rarely comments on his personal life.
Unlike many high-profile athletes who regularly share family moments on social media, Lukaku prefers to keep his relationships private.
This approach has resulted in ongoing speculation whenever he appears publicly with someone new. However, the Belgian international has consistently chosen not to respond to most dating rumors.
His focus has remained on football rather than public discussions about his personal relationships.
Lukaku Today
As of 2026, Romelu Lukaku remains unmarried.
The experienced striker continues competing at the highest level of European football while representing Belgium internationally.
Following his move to Napoli, he has continued playing a key role for both club and country, concentrating on performances rather than media attention surrounding his private life.
Although supporters remain interested in his relationships, Lukaku has made it clear through his actions that maintaining privacy is a personal priority.
Final Thoughts
Sarah Mens remains Romelu Lukaku’s most widely known former girlfriend. Their relationship reportedly began in 2016 after meeting in Miami and continued for approximately five years before ending quietly in 2021.
Since then, Lukaku has been linked with influencer Shani Jamilah and rapper Megan Thee Stallion, but neither connection was officially confirmed as a long-term relationship.
Today, the Belgian striker continues to enjoy one of football’s most successful careers while keeping his personal life away from the public spotlight. His preference for privacy has allowed him to focus on family, football, and professional success rather than constant media attention surrounding his relationships.
