Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed he has undergone surgery on a hamstring injury, with the Napoli midfielder now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines and a potential race against time to be fit for the 2026 World Cup.
FROM CITY ICON TO NAPOLI STAR
The 34-year-old Belgian playmaker joined Napoli last summer after bringing his glittering decade at Manchester City to an end.
Since arriving in Italy, De Bruyne has quickly become a vital figure under Rudi Garcia, contributing four goals and two assists in 11 appearances across all competitions.
However, his impressive start has been disrupted by injury — with a hamstring problem forcing him to miss Napoli’s last three fixtures in Serie A and the Champions League.
“SURGERY WENT PERFECT” — DE BRUYNE SHARES UPDATE
De Bruyne took to Instagram to reassure fans following his operation, expressing optimism about his recovery process.
“Hi everyone, as you all know I will be sidelined for a while,” he wrote.
“The good news is that the surgery went perfect. My way back has already started! Thank you for all the messages!”
The injury occurred during Napoli’s 3-1 victory over Inter Milan last month. De Bruyne had opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute but was forced off shortly after clutching his hamstring.
FOUR-MONTH RECOVERY TIMELINE
Medical reports have since confirmed that the midfielder suffered a high-grade hamstring tear, requiring immediate surgical intervention.
According to The Sun, initial recovery estimates suggest De Bruyne could be out for at least four months, sparking fears he may not regain full fitness before next summer’s World Cup.
This isn’t the first time De Bruyne has battled such an issue. He endured a similar setback while at Manchester City in 2023 but made a strong return just four months after surgery — offering Napoli fans hope of a repeat recovery.
A LONG ROAD AHEAD
Despite the setback, De Bruyne’s professionalism and experience could see him return stronger once again.
With Napoli contending in both domestic and European competitions, his absence will be deeply felt — but the midfielder’s update suggests he’s already focused on making a swift and full comeback.