Napoli's Kevin De Bruyne Faces Lengthy Absence After Serious Thigh Injury

Kevin De Bruyne, Napoli's star midfielder, suffered a severe right thigh injury during a Serie A match against Inter Milan, confirmed as a high-grade lesion to the biceps femoris muscle. The injury, sustained shortly after scoring a penalty, will sideline the 34-year-old Belgium international for several months, causing him to miss the remainder of the 2025 season. Napoli, currently joint leaders in Serie A, face a significant setback with De Bruyne's absence compounded by other midfield injuries and upcoming player commitments. De Bruyne had made a strong start to his Napoli career with four goals and two assists in eight league appearances. The injury also impacts the Belgian national team, which faces critical World Cup qualifiers without one of its key players. Napoli has begun his rehabilitation process, although no specific timeline for his return has been announced.