Kevin De Bruyne Misses October Matches for Belgium

Belgium's captain Kevin De Bruyne will miss the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Italy and France due to a thigh injury sustained during the Champions League final against Inter Milan. Coach Domenico Tedesco confirmed that De Bruyne has also requested additional time off, opting to skip both October and November fixtures to manage his workload as he aims for a return in mid-October. Despite recent doubts about his international future following critical comments about his teammates after a loss to France, Tedesco reassured that De Bruyne remains committed to the national team and is focused on competing in the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku will also be absent from the squad, having opted out of selection. Both players have reportedly engaged in positive discussions with Tedesco about their international careers moving forward.