Kevin De Bruyne turned a moment of triumph into immediate alarm on Saturday, clutching his right thigh the instant the ball hit the net from the penalty spot and then being forced off a few minutes later
The 34-year-old playmaker opened the scoring for Napoli in the 33rd minute, sending the crowd into a brief roar before pain cut the celebration short.
Medical staff escorted him from the pitch and he was taken to hospital for scans that revealed a high-grade tear in his thigh.
Napoli confirmed the diagnosis and warned that De Bruyne faces an extended spell on the sidelines, leaving a sizeable hole in their midfield as the club pushed on in Serie A and the Champions League. No firm return date has been given
De Bruyne’s strike helped Napoli to a 3-1 victory over Inter Milan that returned them to the top of the table, but the result came at a heavy price for a club that had just secured a marquee summer signing on a free transfer from Manchester City.
Since joining Napoli in June, De Bruyne has hit the ground running with four league goals in eight appearances and three more outings in the Champions League, quickly becoming central to Napoli’s attacking rhythm and creativity.
Napoli now face the challenge of replacing a world-class creator while De Bruyne embarks on what looks set to be a prolonged rehabilitation, a test of squad depth and managerial resourcefulness as the season unfolds.
