Kevin De Bruyne Undergoes Surgery After Thigh Injury in Inter Clash

Kevin De Bruyne Has Surgery After Penalty Injury Against Inter

Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has undergone successful surgery on a thigh injury suffered while scoring a penalty in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Inter Milan.

The 34-year-old Belgium international was seen clutching the back of his right thigh after calmly converting from the spot in the 33rd minute. He was replaced just minutes later, clearly in discomfort.

Scans later confirmed a high-grade tear to the biceps femoris — part of the hamstring muscle group at the back of the thigh.

Surgery in Belgium, Rehab Begins

On Wednesday, Napoli confirmed that De Bruyne had surgery in Antwerp, Belgium. The procedure was successful, and the first phase of his rehabilitation will begin in Belgium as well.

No official timeline has been provided for his return, though high-grade hamstring tears typically sideline players for several weeks to months, depending on severity and recovery response.

Strong Start Cut Short

De Bruyne joined Napoli on a free transfer from Manchester City in June and has made a big impact in the early part of the Serie A season.

• 4 goals in 8 league appearances

• 3 Champions League matches

His creativity and experience have been vital as Napoli climbed back to the top of Serie A, overtaking Inter with last weekend’s win.

What’s Next for Napoli?

The injury comes as a blow for head coach Francesco Calzona, with De Bruyne being one of the team’s most influential players. While Napoli still boast depth in midfield, replacing his quality will be a challenge.

The club is expected to provide updates in the coming weeks based on De Bruyne’s progress during the rehab phase.