Radja Nainggolan never sought a quiet life. For years, he wore his flamboyance openly, from his tattoos to his fiery tackles in Rome and Milan. Now, at age 36, the former Belgian international finds himself in a very different spotlight. Arrested in connection with a cocaine trafficking investigation, he’s facing questions that could overshadow the matches and moments he once relished.
He’d just returned to Belgian football with Lokeren-Temse, scoring a sensational goal directly from a corner. Many fans saw it as a triumphant homecoming. Then came the news. Brussels prosecutors announced that their probe targets “alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium.” They confirmed Nainggolan was “deprived of his liberty” during the raids and would remain in custody for ongoing interrogations.
Nainggolan’s unfolding saga
His lawyer, Omar Souidi, insists Nainggolan is innocent. “He is a professional footballer, not a criminal,” he told reporters outside the courthouse. Lokeren-Temse, the second-tier club that pinned its recent hopes on their new star, released a measured statement. “We respect the presumption of innocence and therefore cannot comment further,” it read. “We can only confirm that the player was absent from training this morning.”
It’s not the first time Nainggolan’s name has surfaced in off-field headlines. Through stretches of his career in Italy, he confronted disciplinary issues and public criticism. Supporters who once admired his tough style now wonder if there’s a tragic inevitability to his recent predicament. Others recall the brilliance he brought to the midfield—his ferocious tackling and unstoppable runs—urging caution until the courts have their say.
Belgian law enforcement has ramped up efforts against drug trafficking, especially through Antwerp, one of Europe’s largest ports. Penalties for those found guilty can be steep, and the implications for a high-profile athlete extend beyond any potential sentence. After months without a club, Nainggolan’s short-lived return to Belgian football is now in limbo. Even if cleared of wrongdoing, the cloud of suspicion won’t easily fade.
