Kevin De Bruyne Injury: How it Affects Napoli and Belgium's World Cup Qualifiers

In partnership with 

Napoli's joy turned to despair after their 3-1 victory over Inter as star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne suffered a serious thigh injury that could end his season. 

The Belgian's absence adds to Antonio Conte's mounting injury list, deepening Napoli's crisis despite their return to the top of Serie A. The former Manchester City starlet's absence could now derail Napoli's title momentum.

The news is also a blow to Belgium which has crucial World Cup qualifiers next month. De Bruyne has netted six goals in his past five matches for his country.

What began as a night of redemption for Napoli ended in despair as Napoli's midfield maestro, De Bruyne, limped off just minutes after converting a penalty in the 3-1 win over Inter. Post-match scans at Pineta Grande Hospital confirmed Napoli’s worst fears with the midfielder injured with a high-grade tear of the biceps femoris in his right thigh. The club’s statement further confirmed the injury and also stated that the player has already begun his rehabilitation program.

The timeline for recovery stretches into late February or early March, effectively ruling the Belgian out of the rest of Napoli’s 2025 campaign. It’s an injury with worrying precedents, as De Bruyne underwent surgery on the same muscle in 2023 and missed a large part of last season then playing for City. The recurrence not only puts his season in jeopardy but also forces Napoli to rethink their creative structure.

For a player who had quickly become the symbol of Conte’s new Napoli, this development comes across as a brutal twist. De Bruyne had been central to rebuilding the team’s attacking rhythm, and his influence extended far beyond assists or goals as he brought composure and vision to a side