Kevin De Bruyne Injury: How it Affects Napoli and Belgium's World Cup Qualifiers
Napoli's recent 3-1 victory over Inter Milan was overshadowed by a significant blow: a serious injury to star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian international sustained a high-grade tear of the biceps femoris muscle in his right thigh while converting a penalty. The injury is expected to sideline him for several months, potentially until February 2026. This absence poses challenges for both Napoli and the Belgian national team as they approach crucial fixtures.
De Bruyne's injury occurred on October 25, 2025, during the Serie A match against Inter Milan. After scoring a penalty in the first half, the 34-year-old immediately clutched his right thigh and signaled for a substitution. Medical tests at the Pineta Grande Hospital confirmed the severity of the injury. Napoli released a statement confirming that De Bruyne has already begun his rehabilitation process.
The injury is a significant setback for Napoli, who are currently vying for the Serie A title. De Bruyne has been a key player for the team since joining from Manchester City in July 2025, contributing four goals in eight Serie A matches. His vision, passing range, and ability to dictate the tempo of the game will be sorely missed. Manager Antonio Conte now faces the task of finding tactical alternatives to maintain the team's competitiveness in both Serie A and European competitions. Napoli also face challenges in the Champions League, where they have had a slow start.
De Bruyne's absence adds to Napoli's existing injury concerns. Fellow midfielder Stanislav Lobotka is also currently sidelined with injury. Furthermore, Frank Anguissa will be unavailable in December and January due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon. These absences could force Conte to rely on younger players or consider emergency signings during the winter transfer window.
The injury also has significant implications for the Belgian national team. De Bruyne has been a crucial player for Belgium, scoring six goals in his last five matches for his country. Belgium are currently leading Group J in the World Cup qualifiers, but they face crucial matches against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein in November. De Bruyne's absence will test the team's depth and leadership as they aim to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup. Domenico Tedesco, the coach of the Belgium national team, may need to explore alternative midfield options, such as Youri Tielemans, to fill the void left by De Bruyne.
De Bruyne has a history of hamstring issues, including undergoing surgery in the summer of 2023. This latest injury raises concerns about his long-term fitness and ability to consistently perform at the highest level. The club has not provided a specific timeline for his return, but the focus will be on ensuring a full recovery to prevent further setbacks.
The injury to Kevin De Bruyne is a major blow for both Napoli and Belgium. Napoli will need to find a way to maintain their title challenge without their key playmaker, while Belgium will need to navigate crucial World Cup qualifiers without their captain and most influential player. The coming months will be a test of squad depth and tactical adaptability for both teams.
