Kevin De Bruyne has made a significant decision regarding his fitness and international future as he continues his recovery from injury. The Manchester City star will not return to action until after the international break, and he has also requested to sit out Belgium’s November fixtures to manage his health over the long season.
De Bruyne picked up an injury in last month’s clash against Inter Milan and has since missed Manchester City’s last four games. Manager Pep Guardiola had already confirmed that De Bruyne wouldn’t be available until after the upcoming international break, and now Belgium’s head coach Domenico Tedesco has revealed that De Bruyne asked to be excluded from their Nations League fixtures. Looking ahead, De Bruyne has also opted out of November’s international games to ensure his body can cope with the grueling season.
His decision comes after a tense moment during the last international break, where De Bruyne publicly questioned the mentality and ability of his Belgian teammates, with some clips even suggesting he said, “I quit” following a loss to France. Despite the media storm surrounding these comments, Tedesco has reassured fans that De Bruyne remains committed to the national team and is focused on representing Belgium at the 2026 World Cup.
“I had a long phone conversation with Kevin,” Tedesco said. “He has an injury but is very motivated to continue with the Red Devils and to play in the World Cup in 2026. He’s asked to skip this camp and also the November one to take care of his body. The schedule has gotten even busier with the Club World Cup, so that’s why he won’t be available now or in November. But when it really matters—like the World Cup—he will be there.”
De Bruyne’s request to rest is understandable given his packed schedule. With the 2025/26 campaign starting just two weeks after the previous season ends, followed by the 2026 World Cup, he could face nearly two straight years of competitive play without a significant break.
Tedesco also downplayed the controversy from De Bruyne’s earlier remarks. “Kevin is a big player, but also a big personality,” he said. “After what happened in the last match, he was emotional—he always wants to win. He didn’t mention names in the media, and we’ve handled it internally. The media made it a bigger deal because it’s Kevin, but inside the dressing room, it’s not a big issue.”
De Bruyne’s decision to manage his fitness now is clearly designed to ensure he can still compete at the highest level, both for his club and his country, in the years to come.
