🤕 Serious injury for De Bruyne at Napoli, out for months | OneFootball

SSC Napoli has issued a medical statement confirming the worst fears about the physical condition of their star, Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian midfielder, who had to leave the field during the recent match against Inter Milan, has been diagnosed with a severe tear of the right thigh's biceps femoris. This injury not only deals a heavy blow to the player but also represents a significant absence for the Partenopei team at a crucial moment in the season.

The injury occurred at an unusual and dramatic moment: right after De Bruyne took a penalty. After striking the ball and sending it into the back of the net, the player immediately clutched the back of his thigh, showing acute pain that prevented him from continuing the match. Subsequent tests at the Pineta Grande Hospital confirmed the seriousness of the incident, establishing the diagnosis of a tear, which automatically activates the club's rehabilitation protocols.

The Napoli statement emphasizes that the player has already begun his rehabilitation program, although the road back to the pitch appears long. A biceps femoris tear is usually classified as a grade III injury when severe, implying recovery periods that far exceed the usual absences for minor muscle problems.

Downtime for this type of ailment, especially when it involves a severe tear, tends to be prolonged. According to medical forecasts for an injury of this nature (grade III), recovery could range from 6 to 10 weeks in less severe cases, if the tear is partial, to a period of 3 to 4 months if the muscle damage is total or requires surgical intervention. The club has not specified the exact grade or whether surgery will be needed, but the label "severe" suggests the most pessimistic scenario.

The absence of Kevin De Bruyne leaves a huge void in the midfield of the Neapolitan team. The Belgian is considered one of the team's pillars for his creativity and leadership in the center of the field. His absence will force the coach to readjust his schemes and seek creative alternatives to replace the vision and goals provided by the former Manchester City player. Napoli fans now face a long wait, hoping their star can return in time for the decisive stages of the competition.

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

📸 CARLO HERMANN - AFP or licensors