Kevin De Bruyne has opened up on his recovery from a serious hamstring injury and his recent adaptation to Italian football following his move to Napoli from Manchester City. After over four months sidelined, De Bruyne returned recently and confirmed he is prepared for Belgium's World Cup campaign. He managed only 18 league appearances in his first Serie A season due to the extended absence.
De Bruyne spent ten years at Manchester City (2015-2025), winning six Premier League titles and the 2022-23 Champions League, before transferring to Napoli at the start of 2025-26. He described Italian football as markedly different from the Premier League style, noting tactical lessons learned in defensive organization and deeper positioning. Despite the injury and tactical adjustment, De Bruyne believes he has adapted well and is ready to contribute meaningfully.
The Belgian midfielder expressed genuine excitement about facing his former Premier League rival Mohamed Salah. De Bruyne and Salah developed a personal friendship during their decade of competition in England, with their children attending the same school. He also noted familiarity with Salah's Egypt teammate Omar Marmoush. De Bruyne described the matchup as an opportunity to 'compete again like old times' against players he considers genuine and professional.
De Bruyne's fitness level following his injury layoff and limited match sharpness from 18 Serie A appearances could influence Belgium's attacking performance and tournament odds, particularly given the need to regain full match rhythm at a crucial stage of his season.
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