Napoli, De Bruyne’s Antwerp surgery a success, rehab starts tomorrow | OneFootball

Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has successfully undergone surgery on the right thigh hamstring after the injury sustained in the league match against Inter.

Napoli, De Bruyne operated on in Antwerp: surgery perfectly successful. Dr. Maesschalck: “Rehabilitation starts tomorrow”

The operation, performed in Antwerp, concluded positively and marks the beginning of a long recovery process that will keep the Belgian star off the field for at least four months.

Dr. Maesschalck: “Successful operation, rehabilitation starts tomorrow”

The positive outcome was confirmed by Dr. Lieven Maesschalck, who led the medical team responsible for the surgery. Interviewed by the Belgian newspaper HLN, the doctor explained:

“Everything went well, the surgery was brilliantly successful. Kevin is doing well. Rehabilitation starts tomorrow; the intention is to bring him back to top form. We don't yet know how we will approach it, we will discuss it tomorrow.”

Napoli, through an official statement on their website, clarified that De Bruyne will remain in Belgium to complete the first phase of the post-operative process under the supervision of Maesschalck and his team.

Recovery time: at least four months off

According to ANSA, the 34-year-old former Manchester City player will have to stay off for about four months, with a possible return to the field between late February and early March 2026, barring complications. The decision to undergo surgery came after a consultation between the player, coach Antonio Conte, and president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who agreed on the surgical approach to ensure a complete and lasting recovery.

The medical opinion: the risks of a relapse

To better understand the nature of the injury, Sky Sport interviewed Professor Fabrizio Tencone, a specialist in sports medicine and director of the Isokinetic center in Turin, who analyzed the possible clinical implications:

“We have little information, but it is evident that it is a serious injury. We saw how he left the field, using crutches: a sign of severity. The hamstring is a complex, long muscle subject to high stress. It will be crucial to understand if the injury is in the same area previously operated on or if it is a different point: this affects the prognosis and the recovery strategy, whether surgical or conservative.”

De Bruyne, the importance of mental recovery

Besides the physical aspect, doctors also emphasize the need for a gradual psychological approach to avoid stress or rushing the timeline. De Bruyne, known for his determination and discipline, will face a complex phase, but Napoli expects to find him in perfect shape at the crucial moment of the season.

“Kevin is an exemplary professional, and this will be a determining factor in his healing process,” added a source close to the Azzurri's technical staff.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.