De Bruyne's Surgical Setback: Napoli's Midfield Maestro Faces Months on the Sidelines
29 October 2025
Injury Update and Immediate Aftermath
Napoli confirmed on Wednesday that their Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne underwent a successful surgery to treat a right thigh muscle injury sustained in the 3-1 victory over Inter Milan in Serie A.
The injury struck at a moment of joy, when De Bruyne felt a sharp pain in his right thigh after netting the opener from a penalty, and he asked to be substituted.
Medical tests later showed a first-degree strain, which required immediate surgical intervention. Napoli announced that De Bruyne had the operation in Antwerp and will begin rehabilitation in Belgium before returning to Italy to complete his treatment.
While no official recovery timetable was given, Belgian and Italian reports suggested a four-month absence, a heavy blow for the southern side that relies on his experience in midfield.
De Bruyne is 34 and has long been plagued by recurring muscle injuries, especially in the hamstring area. He previously underwent a similar operation in 2023 with Manchester City, sidelining him for about five months.
The Long Road: From Ghent to Napoli
Beginnings in Belgium: De Bruyne was born in Drongen on June 28, 1991, and joined Ghent's academy at 14, making his first-team debut in 2008-2009.
In Ghent he stood out for creating chances and precise passing, helping the club win the Belgian title in 2010-2011, with five goals and sixteen assists.
Move to Chelsea in January 2012 for £7 million; under Mourinho he found limited chances, then went on loan to Werder Bremen in 2012-2013, where he rediscovered his talent with ten goals and nine assists in the Bundesliga.
Wolfsburg completed a permanent transfer in January 2014 for €18 million; in 2014-15 season he exploded, scoring 16 goals and providing 27 assists, leading to cup wins. His name became a headline across Europe, and he was named Bundesliga Player of the Year.
City move: In summer 2015 City signed him for €75m, making him the club's most expensive signing at the time. Under Pep Guardiola, he developed into one of the world's best midfielders.
With City he won multiple Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League; he was named PFA Players' Player of the Year twice (2020, 2022) and became City's all-time assists leader.
International: Belgium debut in 2010; part of the so-called Golden Generation that reached the 2018 World Cup semi-final and finished third after beating England.
He featured in several European Championships, serving as the heartbeat of the national team, known for turning defense into attack in a flash.
Known for a calm demeanor off the pitch, De Bruyne speaks mostly with his feet, and his leadership emerged as the unspoken captaincy at City for many years.
Yet injuries remained a shadow, with recurring muscle problems in recent seasons, including a long absence at the start of 2023-24.
On the move to Napoli in 2024, hopes were high for a fresh challenge in Serie A, but fate cut the summer short for a second time.
End of an era or a new beginning?
Today, as De Bruyne begins another recovery phase, fans know he faces a battle not with opponents but with time and repeated injuries.
He is a player who doesn’t know surrender, and no matter how long he’s out, he remains a symbol of football intelligence and beauty in the modern game.
When he returns to the pitch, it will be less a comeback and more the comeback of a legend.
Punchline 1: If patience were a sport, De Bruyne would already be world champion.
Punchline 2: The only thing louder than his passes right now might be the whistle of the physio’s stopwatch.
