Facial surgery on De Bruyne: "Procedure desirable with a view to the future"
Kevin De Bruyne is in danger of being ruled out for the Belgium national team's European Championship opener against Russia on June 12 after undergoing facial surgery. "Whether he can be featured for the opening match against Russia, we have to look at day by day," national coach Roberto Martínez said at a press conference for this Sunday's test match against Croatia.
Manchester City's De Bruyne had earlier undergone a surprise 20-minute surgery on his broken eye socket. "After a re-examination, during which the swelling had decreased, this procedure seemed desirable with a view to the future. Thanks to the operation, the structure of De Bruyne's eye socket was secured," Martínez said.
The playmaker had suffered a fractured nasal bone and eye socket in a collision with Antonio Rüdiger in the Champions League final against Chelsea (0-1). Until recently, it had been said that the 29-year-old, who is one of the most valuable soccer players in the European Championship, would not need to undergo surgery.
Most valuable player of each EURO 2020 squad
De Bruyne is expected to return to the national team on Monday. "Kevin is doing very well," the coach said. In his estimation, the former Bremen and Wolfsburg player is unlikely to have to wear a face mask for the European Championship games, according to Martinez: "He will probably be able to train and play without protection. His situation will be analyzed in detail in the coming days."
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jun 28, 1991 (32)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Manchester City
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- Position:
- Attacking Midfield
- Market Value:
- €60.00m
- Total Market Value:
- €540.80m
- Competition:
- EURO 2024
- Manager:
- Domenico Tedesco
- Squad size:
- 25