Napoli have been dealt a major setback as midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is expected to remain out of action until early 2026 following a hamstring injury sustained during the club’s 3-1 Serie A victory over Inter Milan on Saturday.
The Belgian international suffered the injury moments after converting a penalty, his fourth league goal of the season. Immediately after scoring, the 34-year-old appeared in visible discomfort, clutching his right thigh before being helped off the pitch by Napoli’s medical team.
In an official statement, Napoli confirmed that medical tests revealed “a large-scale lesion in the biceps femoris of De Bruyne’s right leg.” The club added that the midfielder has already started his rehabilitation process, though no clear recovery timeline has been announced.
Italian outlets Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky Sport reported that De Bruyne is unlikely to feature again this year, marking a significant blow to Napoli’s ambitions of retaining the Serie A title. The midfielder joined Napoli this summer from Manchester City, quickly becoming a crucial figure in the club’s attacking setup.
De Bruyne has scored four goals this season — two from penalties and one from a stunning free kick — and his creative vision has been instrumental in Napoli’s rise to the top of the Serie A table. Despite his absence, Napoli remain league leaders on goal difference, level on points with AS Roma, as they prepare to face Lecce in their upcoming fixture.
The loss of De Bruyne could test Napoli’s depth and consistency in the final months of the year, especially as the team eyes both domestic and European success.