Belgium’s captain, Kevin De Bruyne, has requested a break from international football to focus on recovering from a recent thigh injury. The injury, sustained during Manchester City’s Champions League match against Inter Milan, has kept him off the field for the past few weeks.
Originally, De Bruyne was expected to miss Belgium’s Nations League games against Italy and France, but he has now asked to sit out the November fixtures as well. This means the midfielder won’t return to international duty until 2025.
Belgium’s coach, Domenico Tedesco, shared that he had a deep conversation with De Bruyne, who felt it was important to give his body time to heal properly. Tedesco noted that the intense schedule, including the added pressure of the Club World Cup, played a big part in De Bruyne’s decision.
Despite the need for rest, De Bruyne remains committed to playing for Belgium and is already looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup. Tedesco emphasized that while the midfielder is taking time to recover, his desire to represent his country remains strong.
