Kevin De Bruyne has been dealing with a mix of injury setbacks and a big career move. Recent reports say he left Manchester City and joined Napoli on a free transfer, but he was later set for a spell on the sidelines after a thigh injury, and in May 2026 he also suffered a facial injury in training that kept him out of a match.

What’s going on

  • He moved on from Manchester City after a long spell there and continued his career in Serie A with Napoli.
  • In late 2025, he sustained a serious right-thigh injury and was expected to miss several months.
  • By May 2026, he was also ruled out briefly after a collision in training left him with a split cheekbone that needed stitches.

Current read

The short version is: nothing “mysterious” happened to him; he has mainly been hit by injuries while also going through a major club transition. The latest available reports still describe him as a high-profile Napoli player, but one whose availability has been affected by fitness issues.

Context

De Bruyne’s situation has been a recurring talking point because he’s such an important midfielder, so any injury draws immediate attention. That’s why the news around him can look dramatic even when it’s mostly about recovery timelines and match availability.

TL;DR: Kevin De Bruyne left Manchester City for Napoli, then suffered a major thigh injury and later a separate facial injury, so the big story is his move plus a rough run of fitness setbacks.