Napoli Suffer Blow as De Bruyne Faces Lengthy Spell on Sidelines with Severe Thigh Injury

Written by Pavel Kateliev

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, | Updated: October 27, 2025

Kevin De Bruyne receiving help to leave the pitch after getting injured

Key Takeaways:

Kevin De Bruyne sustained a severe lesion to his right thigh muscle after scoring a penalty during Napoli’s 3-1 win over Inter on Saturday evening
Medical examinations confirmed a high grade lesion to the femoral bicep, with De Bruyne expected to be sidelined for several months
Napoli’s victory moved them joint top of the table alongside Roma, but the midfielder’s injury has cast a shadow over their success

De Bruyne’s Injury Confirmed by Napoli

Napoli have officially confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne has suffered a significant setback, as tests have revealed a high grade lesion to the femoral bicep in his right thigh. The Belgium international experienced the injury after converting a penalty in Napoli’s 3-1 victory against Inter on Saturday evening, immediately signalling his discomfort by clutching the back of his leg and appearing visibly dismayed.

🤕 De Bruyne is expected to be out for around 3 months for Napoli pic.twitter.com/wDbmQMqtAc
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) October 27, 2025

Implications for Napoli’s Campaign

The result against Inter propelled Napoli to the top of the table, level on points with Roma, but their achievement has been tempered by the loss of De Bruyne. The club has not provided an exact timeline for his recovery, but comparisons have been drawn to an injury sustained by Romelu Lukaku in August during a pre-season friendly, which sidelined the striker for approximately four months. Such an absence for De Bruyne would be a substantial blow to Napoli’s ambitions in the coming months.

History of Muscular Issues

De Bruyne has previously struggled with muscular problems, including a similar injury that kept him out of action for three months while at Manchester City. This latest setback heightens concerns regarding his injury record as Napoli look ahead to crucial fixtures in the Serie A campaign.