Belgian superstar Romelu Lukaku last night paid tribute to Alfredo Morelos’ act of sportsmanship in the first half of Rangers Europa League victory against Royal Antwerp.
At 1-1 in the dying stages before the interval, following the Colombian’s opener for the Gers, he raced on to a ball played into the channel.
As Morelos picked up possession, his opponent hobbled off the pitch with a hamstring problem.
He decided to stop play instead of darting toward the box, which he would have been entitled to do.
bAd bOY oF scOTtiSh fOotBaLl
Not at all, classy behaviour from Alfredo Morelos 👏
Sportsmanship Level 💯#UEL pic.twitter.com/8BAixH14Xw
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2021
Watching on from afar, Inter Milan striker Lukaku took to his Twitter account to praise Alfredo Morelos.
https://twitter.com/RomeluLukaku9/status/1365009608130125830
One can only admire Alfredo Morelos' sportsmanship last night… 🤝#UEL #RANANT #RAFC #AntwerpOnTour pic.twitter.com/9kjkI55kJw
— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) February 26, 2021
The £81 mil rated man was very appreciative of the decision taken against the team from his native Belgium, which was also noted by ‘The Great Old’.
Morelos’ manager Steven Gerrard was effusive in his praise for the focal point of his attack.
Gerrard described his performance as ‘unplayable’ and ‘his strongest performance of the season’.
As well as his goal, the Colombian international was at the heart of the other strikes from his team mates, following on from the first leg in Antwerp last week when he effectively assisted all four of Rangers goals, including the two penalties converted by Borna Barisic.
In the 5-2 victory last night at Ibrox, Gerrard’s front-line was buzzing and the Ryan Kent goal in particular was very impressive.
Morelos overall contribution will not have gone unnoticed from watching clubs around Europe, ahead of a possible Ibrox farewell this Summer.
If his form is continued into the latter stages of the Europa League, a £20 million price tag could well be within Rangers command.
🎥 REACTION: Steven Gerrard spoke to the media after tonight's #UEL victory at Ibrox. pic.twitter.com/WT6Osi7YEg
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) February 25, 2021