Top 5 Serie A players during September international break: De Bruyne, Kean, Sucic | OneFootball

189 Serie A players were called up to represent their respective national team sides for the September international break, but the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Moise Kean and Scott McTominay shone brighter than some of their other colleagues in Italy.

Here is a look at the top five standout Serie A performers during the recent set of September internationals.

De Bruyne on goalscoring form for Belgium

New Napoli star Kevin De Bruyne was at his best for Belgium, who scored 12 goals in two matches against Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan over the last week, both resulting in 6-0 wins.

De Bruyne was involved in a third of those 12 goals, scoring three and providing one assists across those two matches, and will now look to bring that form back to club level when he reunites with Antonio Conte in Naples.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – SEPTEMBER 07: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Belgium and Kazakhstan at Lotto Park on September 07, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images)

De Bruyne’s performances came despite being stripped of the Belgium captaincy by former Napoli head coach Rudi Garcia at the start of the international break.

Kean powers Italy in 5-0 and 5-4 thrillers

Fiorentina striker Moise Kean proved a reliable source of goals as Italy stuck a combined tally of 10 past Estonia and Israel in 5-0 and 5-4 victories respectively.

Moise Kean celebrates scoring for Italy against Israel in the World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)

He scored the opening goal of the game in the second half against Estonia, hit the post, and was taken off to a standing ovation in Bergamo on Friday.

He followed that performance up with a brace in the chaotic 5-4 victory over Israel on Monday, and earned average ratings of 8/10 in both of his last two Italy matches.

Three more standout Serie A performers during September international break

Scott McTominay was once again the star for Scotland in their most recent set of international fixtures.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 15:

Scott McTominay of Scotland during gameplay at the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1 match between Scotland and Croatia at Hampden Park on November 15, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Euan Cherry/Getty Images)

The reigning Serie A MVP started in central midfield alongside Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson in a 0-0 draw with Denmark, which has helped Scotland stay level on points with the Danes at the top of their World Cup qualifying group.

McTominay followed that performance up with an assist in a 2-0 win away against Belarus, in a Scotland side that featured several Serie A representatives in Ferguson, Billy Gilmour, Che Adams, Lennon Miller and former Bologna full-back Aaron Hickey.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 30: Petar Sucic of Serie A side FC Internazionale Milano during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match against Fluminense FC. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Recent Serie A arrival Petar Sucic, who joined Inter at the start of the summer transfer window, has also been on solid form for Croatia in September.

He started in a 1-0 win away against the Faroe Islands and a 4-0 win over Montenegro, which keeps Croatia at the top of their World Cup qualifying group. They are currently level on points with Czechia on 12, but have played one game fewer and currently possess a 100% win record in qualifying.

Milan midfielder Modric also heaped praise on his international colleague after his recent performances: “We’ve already played together before, and he’s shown his qualities. It’s no coincidence that he’s signed for a top club like Inter. You will certainly get to know him a bit better and see his talent.

“Our generation felt unrepeatable, it achieved incredible results, but there are young players like him who could reach even higher heights.”

TURIN, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Jonathan David of Juventus during the Serie A match against Parma. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Another recent Serie A recruit, Juventus’s Jonathan David, also earned rave reviews for his performance in Canada’s recent 3-0 friendly victory away against Romania.

Post-match reports in Italy claimed that he ‘dragged’ his national side to victory in Romania, and he marked that performance with his 37th international goal on what was his 68th cap.