Kevin De Bruyne 'could be OUT of the World Cup' - with freak injury suffered while scoring a penalty 'more severe than first feared'

Kevin De Bruyne's World Cup hopes are in doubt after the Belgian midfielder suffered a freak injury while scoring for Napoli, a report has claimed. 

The 34-year-old pulled up moments after converting a first-half penalty in Napoli's 3-1 win over Inter Milan on Saturday. He immediately clutched his right leg and was substituted in clear discomfort as coach Antonio Conte looked on anxiously from the touchline.

De Bruyne sustained a high-grade lesion to the femoral bicep in his right thigh, the same area that required surgery during his final season with Manchester City.

According to The Sun, there are fears that the severity of the tear could sideline him for up to four months, leaving his place at next summer's World Cup in serious jeopardy. 

A statement released by Napoli confirmed the diagnosis and revealed that the Belgian had already started his recovery programme.

'Following the injury that occurred during the match against Inter, Kevin De Bruyne underwent instrumental tests at the Pineta Grande Hospital and that showed a high-grade lesion to the femoral bicep in his right thigh. The Napoli player has already begun the rehabilitation process.'

The injury came during one of Napoli's most significant results of the season, a 3-1 victory that returned Conte's side to the top of Serie A.

Further goals from Scott McTominay and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa sealed the win after a difficult week that included a 6-2 Champions League defeat at PSV and a league loss to Torino.

Conte had publicly criticised the club's summer transfer business in the aftermath of that European setback, arguing that the arrival of nine new players had disrupted the balance that powered last season's title success.

De Bruyne joined the Italian champions as a free agent in the summer following a decade with Manchester City, signing a two-year deal with the option of a further season. 

His reported £5million-a-year contract underlined Napoli's ambition to retain their domestic crown and challenge in Europe.

The former City playmaker has made eight Serie A appearances since moving to the Diego Maradona Stadium but has struggled for rhythm after a stop-start run of fitness problems.

Napoli’s medical team will oversee his rehabilitation before he continues his recovery in Belgium. 

Reports claim he has already left Italy to begin treatment at a specialist facility near Brussels.

Belgium, meanwhile, are close to sealing qualification for the 2026 World Cup and will guarantee their place with victory over Kazakhstan next month. 

The tournament begins on June 28, leaving De Bruyne in a race against time to regain fitness.