De Bruyne to Napoli fans: ‘I will come back stronger’

Belgian Kevin De Bruyne, midfielder for Italian Napoli, assured the team's fans that he will return stronger next season, hours after his country's national team was eliminated from the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

De Bruyne spoke after his country's elimination from the tournament following a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the quarter-finals, reassuring the fans of his Italian team about his technical and physical condition.

De Bruyne said in statements to platform 'DAZN': 'Let me get some rest. I played the last match of the season and it was a difficult year. I worked hard to return in the best possible shape after a serious injury.'

He added: 'Let me get some rest and then I will return.'

De Bruyne had suffered an injury that kept him away from Napoli, which he joined last season from English Manchester City, until March of this year.