De Bruyne likely out injured until 2026 in a blow for Napoli and Belgium

NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Napoli had its fears confirmed by news that Kevin De Bruyne has a severe lesion to his thigh muscle and will be sidelined for several months.

De Bruyne immediately pulled up and clutched the back of his right thigh on Saturday after converting a penalty to set Napoli on the way to a 3-1 win over Inter Milan in Serie A.

The former Manchester City midfielder looked distraught and had to be helped off the field by two medical staff. He was later seen on the bench with his thigh heavily strapped and crutches alongside him.

“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,” Napoli said in a statement on Monday.

“The player has already started the rehabilitation process.”

The Serie A team did not indicate when De Bruyne was expected back but Napoli and Belgium teammate Romelu Lukaku suffered a similar injury during a preseason friendly and he will likely be back in January.

The penalty took De Bruyne’s tally to four goals in eight Serie A matches. It also helped to send Napoli to a share of the Serie A lead but at a hefty cost.

Fellow midfielder Stanislav Lobotka was also out injured and Frank Anguissa will be with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations over December and January.

The news is also a blow to Belgium which has crucial World Cup qualifiers next month. De Bruyne has netted six goals in his past five matches for his country.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Napoli's Kevin De Bruyne is carried off the pitch after getting injured during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Inter Milan, in Naples, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Kevin De Bruyne, left, leaves the pitch injured during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Inter Milan, in Naples, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Kevin De Bruyne scores their side's first goal of the game from the penalty spot, during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Inter Milan, in Naples, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Kevin De Bruyne reacts after leaving the pitch injured during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Inter Milan, in Naples, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Kevin De Bruyne leaves the pitch injured during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Inter Milan, in Naples, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Multiple people were shot Saturday afternoon near a community street festival in Toledo, Ohio, police said.

Toledo police officers responded to a report of a person shot near the Old West End Festival at about 5:30 p.m. When they arrived, they found multiple shooting victims, the police department said in a statement.

Many victims have been taken to nearby hospitals, police said. Police did not provide further details on the injuries and how many people were shot.

Police are actively searching for suspects and the working to determine the circumstances of the shootings.

The Old West End Festival is a two-day celebration in Toledo’s historic district that includes live music, food vendors, home tours and shopping.

Sgt. Mohamad Nasser, a spokesman for the Toledo Police Department, said more information would be released shortly on the department’s Facebook and X accounts.

Police officers work at the scene of a shooting near a festival in Toledo, Ohio on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (WTVG via AP)

Police officers work at the scene of a shooting near a festival in Toledo, Ohio on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (WTVG via AP)