Manchester City and Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne has opted to take time off from international duty as he manages his workload and recovers from a recent thigh injury. The 33-year-old midfielder has been absent from City’s last four games after sustaining the injury during a scoreless Champions League draw with Inter Milan in September.
De Bruyne is expected to return to club action in mid-October, but his current injury meant he was already set to miss Belgium’s Nations League matches against Italy and France later this month. However, Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco recently confirmed that De Bruyne has also requested to sit out November’s games against Italy and Israel to allow for additional recovery time.
Managing the demands of a packed schedule
Following a lengthy phone discussion, Tedesco explained that De Bruyne asked to be left out of both October and November camps to focus on his physical health. According to Tedesco, the demanding schedule has only intensified with the addition of the FIFA Club World Cup, making it essential for De Bruyne to manage his game time carefully. Tedesco added, “He is not available now and won’t be in November, but he will be there when it truly matters, like the World Cup.”
Amid concerns over an increasingly congested football calendar, De Bruyne’s teammate at City, Rodri, stated in September that players are feeling the strain of the added commitments, even considering a protest if the fixture congestion persists.
Aiming for longevity with Belgium
Although De Bruyne had expressed doubts about his future with the national team after Belgium’s 2-0 defeat to France on September 9, Tedesco assures fans that the captain remains committed. Despite his current injury, De Bruyne is enthusiastic about continuing with Belgium’s Red Devils and is determined to take part in the 2026 World Cup.
De Bruyne’s requested break is expected to provide him with much-needed time to focus on his fitness, ensuring he can play at his best for both club and country when he returns.
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