Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has successfully undergone surgery on his injured hamstring in Antwerp, Belgium, following a high-grade tear sustained during Napoli’s Serie A match against Inter Milan.
The Belgian playmaker suffered the injury while converting a penalty in Napoli’s 3-1 victory over their title rivals at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. The 34-year-old appeared to be in visible pain immediately after scoring, prompting medical staff to escort him off the pitch.
The procedure, which targeted a severe tear in the biceps femoris of his right thigh, was reported to have gone smoothly. De Bruyne was assisted during the operation by Napoli’s head of medical staff, Dr. Raffaele Canonico. The club confirmed that the midfielder will begin the first stage of his rehabilitation program in Belgium before returning to Italy for the final phases of his recovery.
De Bruyne’s injury is a significant setback for Napoli, who are currently leading the Serie A table. The Belgian star has been instrumental in their impressive start to the season, contributing four goals since his arrival from Manchester City during the summer transfer window. His goals — three from the penalty spot and one from a free-kick — have provided a crucial attacking boost to the Italian side’s campaign.
According to club officials, De Bruyne is expected to be sidelined for approximately three to four months, depending on the progress of his rehabilitation. This timeline could see him miss several key league fixtures and potentially early stages of Napoli’s European campaign.
Despite the setback, Napoli remains optimistic about his recovery. The team’s medical department expressed confidence that the experienced midfielder will return stronger, emphasizing that his operation was successful and his recovery plan is already underway.
De Bruyne’s absence will test Napoli’s squad depth as they aim to maintain their lead in Serie A and continue their strong form across competitions. His leadership and creativity will be missed in midfield, but the club will be hopeful of his timely return to full fitness ahead of the decisive stages of the season.
