Kevin De Bruyne's comments on the Belgium national team are great news for Man City

Kevin De Bruyne's disdain for 'unimportant' UEFA Nations League fixtures has signalled a shift in the Belgian's mentality while at the peak of his Manchester City career.

The Belgian maestro struggled with a whole host of injury issues at the start of the season. In City's first-ever Champions League final, at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, De Bruyne left the field in tears after a collision with Chelsea's Antonio Rüdiger - fracturing his eye socket and breaking his nose.

He only just managed to recover from that horror injury to participate in the European Championship but was hit with another major blow when he damaged his ankle ligaments at said tournament. Despite suffering that tear in the last-16, De Bruyne took painkilling injections to play in Belgium's quarter-final loss to Italy - something he has since said he regrets.

However, after a slow start to the subsequent season, the 30-year-old was back to his thrilling best in no time and picked up his second Premier League Player of the Season award. Directly after City's fourth league triumph in five seasons, De Bruyne admitted this particular title was the most satisfying on a personal note after such a tough beginning.

The midfielder may have been hoping to spend this summer on the beach, enjoying some much-needed time off with the family - but UEFA's new competition has put those plans on hold.

De Bruyne's national side have a staggering four games in the space of 11 days in the Nations League. Two games in Brussels are followed by trips to Wales and Poland - something the midfielder is not looking forward to.

"For me, the Nations League is not important," said the 30-year-old. "We have to play these games, but it feels like a campaign of friendly games.