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Kevin De Bruyne is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after Napoli revealed the Belgian had suffered a hamstring injury while scoring a penalty against Inter Milan on Saturday.
De Bruyne, 34, clutched the back of his right leg immediately after opening the scoring from the spot in the 33rd minute during a 3-1 win for Antonio Conte’s side in Serie A. He was helped off the field by two members of Napoli’s medical staff.
In a statement, Napoli said: “Following the injury sustained during the match against Inter, Kevin De Bruyne underwent tests at Pineta Grande Hospital, which revealed a high-grade tear of the biceps femoris muscle in his right thigh. The Azzurri player has already begun his rehabilitation programme.”
Napoli have declined to put a timeframe on De Bruyne’s return but confirmed he is facing a lengthy period on the sidelines, with reports in Italy suggesting he will not play again this year.
The injury cut short De Bruyne’s eleventh appearance for Napoli since arriving on a free transfer after leaving Manchester City in the summer.
The Belgian international had spent 10 years at the Premier League, winning six Premier League titles and a treble in 2023 — comprising the league, Champions League and FA Cup.
In moving to Conte’s Serie A champions, he became the second player to join Napoli from Manchester in as many seasons, after Scott McTominay signed from Manchester United the summer before and went on to win the league’s MVP award. Rasmus Hojlund then followed on loan from United on deadline day this September.
Oct 28, 2025
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