Kevin De Bruyne, one of the world’s best midfielders, will miss Belgium’s upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and France.
Injured while playing for Manchester City last month, De Bruyne has also requested additional time off to recover and manage his workload, according to Belgium’s national team coach, Domenico Tedesco.
This means the Red Devils will be without their captain for the next two crucial games, as well as in November’s final Nations League matches.
De Bruyne’s Injury: A Setback for Belgium and Manchester City
Kevin suffered a muscle injury while playing for Manchester City against Inter Milan in the Champions League last month.
The injury has kept him out of City’s last four fixtures, with manager Pep Guardiola confirming that the midfielder is expected to return only after the international break.
His absence is a significant blow not only to Manchester City but also to Belgium, who rely heavily on his creative playmaking and leadership.
As the captain of the Belgium national team, De Bruyne has been a central figure in their midfield for years, and his absence will force coach Domenico Tedesco to rethink his tactics for the upcoming games.
With his request for extra time off, the situation has raised concerns over how long Belgium will have to cope without their star player.
De Bruyne to Miss Key Nations League Matches
Belgium is set to face two tough opponents in the Nations League this month—Italy and France. Both teams are among Europe’s elite, and Belgium will be at a disadvantage without De Bruyne pulling the strings in midfield.
Belgium’s match against Italy will take place in Rome on October 10th, followed by a home fixture against France in Brussels on October 14th.
These two matches are crucial for Belgium’s Nations League campaign, but without their captain, the team will need to find new ways to navigate through these challenging fixtures.
With Romelu Lukaku also set to miss these matches, Belgium’s attack will be weakened, adding even more pressure on the team to perform.
De Bruyne Requests Additional Time Off
In addition to missing October’s Nations League matches, Kevin has also asked for more time off from the national team to focus on his recovery.
This means he will not be available for Belgium’s final two Nations League games in November against Italy and Israel.
At a press conference, coach Domenico Tedesco explained that De Bruyne is taking this time to manage the number of games he plays, especially with the demanding schedule due to club and international commitments.
He has expressed his commitment to the national team and intends to continue playing for Belgium until the 2026 World Cup.
However, his request for time off has raised questions about how much football the 33-year-old has left in him. With his body needing more rest as he ages, De Bruyne is clearly looking to manage his workload to avoid long-term injuries.
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What Does This Mean for Belgium?
Belgium will need to find a way to cope without their captain in the upcoming Nations League matches. Without De Bruyne and Lukaku, the Red Devils will be relying on their younger stars to step up. Players like Jeremy Doku, Johan Bakayoko, and Charles De Ketelaere will need to take on more responsibility in De Bruyne’s absence.
Coach Domenico Tedesco will also have to adjust his tactics to accommodate for the missing creativity and leadership that De Bruyne provides.
Despite De Bruyne’s absence, Belgium remains a strong team with plenty of talent. However, the upcoming matches against Italy and France will be a real test of their depth and resilience.
If Belgium can navigate through these fixtures successfully, it will be a testament to the strength of their squad and the tactical acumen of Tedesco.
De Bruyne’s International Future
One of the biggest questions surrounding De Bruyne is his long-term future with the national team. After Belgium’s 2-0 defeat to France in September, De Bruyne publicly questioned the mentality and ability of his teammates, casting doubt on his international future.
However, Tedesco reassured fans that De Bruyne is still committed to playing for Belgium and has his sights set on the 2026 World Cup. The keyword De Bruyne future with Belgium has been trending as fans speculate about how long the midfielder will continue playing for the national team.
At 33 years old, De Bruyne is approaching the latter stages of his career, and his body is beginning to show signs of wear and tear. By requesting time off now, De Bruyne is likely looking to prolong his career and ensure that he can continue playing at the highest level for as long as possible.
