KEVIN DE BRUYNE’S World Cup dream is in tatters after picking up a freak injury at the weekend.
The former Manchester City star picked up a severe thigh injury scoring a penalty for Napoli during their 3-1 win over Inter Milan.
Sources close to his camp fear the high-grade thigh tear – on the same spot he had surgery in 2023 – will cause him to miss next summer’s World Cup.
He has had an operation again which has proved successful.
But it is likely to keep him sidelined for at least four months – the same amount of time as his previous thigh injury.
De Bruyne has already left Italy to return to Belgium with his family to work on his rehabilitation.
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The World Cup kicks off on 28 June. Belgium will confirm their place if they beat Kazakhstan next month.
They will also be confirmed in the top two in their group – which includes Wales – if they lose and the Red Dragons fail to win against Liechtenstein.
Belgium head to the tournament as among one of the teams considered capable of going all the way.
Napoli also have genuine concerns that his season is over after making just eight Serie A appearances this season for his new club.
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He signed a two-year deal with the Italian giants, with the option of a further year.
He’s understood to be earning around £5million a year at Diego Maradona’s former club.
De Bruyne’s injury came just weeks after he and his family moved into a luxury Naples villa, next door to former Manchester United star Scott McTominay and his girlfriend Cam Reading.
The pair had struck up a great understanding on the pitch.
He joined Napoli as a free agent in the summer following his departure from City after ten years with the club, where he won six Prem titles.
De Bruyne appeared unhappy that his deal at the Etihad wasn’t extended.
He said at the time: “Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye.”
And manager Pep Guardiola admitted: “It was not easy for me to tell him it [his City career] won’t continue.”
