KEVIN De Bruyne will miss the start of next season in a huge blow to Manchester City.
The midfielder picked up an injury during the Champions League final against Inter Milan.
City were able to cope without their talisman as Rodri fired in the winning goal to complete the club’s historic Treble win.
But for De Bruyne, 31, he had to watch from the sidelines as he was unable to continue in the match.
Now it seems the injury is worse than first feared as the Daily Star have reported that he has suffered a Grade Three hamstring tear after undergoing scans.
The report has insisted that he will not need surgery but will miss the 2023/24 curtain-raiser against Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
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It is thought that he will still be absent for City’s first Premier League game against Vincent Kompany’s newly-promoted Burnley at Turf Moor.
The club’s medical department however are “optimistic” that the Belgian international will be able to feature on the bench for the European Super Cup against Europa League winners Sevilla.
The report claims that De Bruyne has been ordered to rest up before beginning his rehab during pre-season next month.
He has been doing just that during his summer break as he has been relaxing with his wife while on holiday.
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The midfielder and his Michele Lacroix soaked up the sun in Saint-Tropez, France.
He did not attend team-mate Aymeric Laporte’s wedding, instead opting for a trip to Ibiza with Ilkay Gundogan and Nathan Ake.
Last season, De Bruyne played a crucial role for City as he netted nine goals and provided 16 assists in all competitions.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
