Belgian football star, Kevin De Bruyne has been forced off the ongoing Champions League final after picking up an injury in the first half against Inter Milan.
Inter had started brightly and threatened Manchester City’s goal as the English team’s nerves were visible and they caused themselves plenty of early problems in the game. Seeing De Bruyne on the floor only aided in accelerating the heartbeats of those in light blue shirts throughout the ground.
De Bruyne required treatment just before the half-hour mark in Istanbul with the game still goalless. He appeared to be clutching the back of his leg.
The midfielder attempted to play through the pain but was unable to continue and was taken off in the 36th minute. Phil Foden came off the bench to replace him.
He held back his emotion as he made the lonely walk off the pitch. But it was a familiar story for the 31-year-old assist king.
It is a repeat of the last time City made it to a Champions League final in 2021. De Bruyne was forced off in the Champions League final against Chelsea in 2021 after suffering a sickening facial injury after a clash with Antonio Rudiger in the 2021 final, leaving the pitch against Chelsea.
City were trailing 1-0 at the time and losing De Bruyne in the 60th minute was a big blow to their chances of getting back into the game at the time. Chelsea had taken the lead in the 42nd minute through Kai Havertz. The Blues held on to win the competition for a second time and delay City’s chances of European glory.
De Bruyne has again been pivotal to City’s success so far this season as they attempt to match Manchester United’s historic treble success of 1999. De Bruyne recorded seven goals and 16 assists in the Premier League this term while netting twice and registering eight assists in the Champions League up until the final.
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