Kevin De Bruyne appears at risk of missing the start of Euro 2020 after fracturing his nose and eye socket during Manchester City’s Champions League Final defeat by former club Chelsea.
The Belgian endured a frustrating game in a false nine position at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao on Saturday night, with his evening ended prematurely shortly after half-time following a nasty accidental collision with Blues defender Antonio Rudiger.
De Bruyne received treatment for several minutes on the pitch before being substituted in tears with a visible black eye.
The injury led to fears that the 28-year-old’s place at this summer’s rescheduled European Championship - where he will be expected to play a key role for Fifa’s no1-ranked side Belgium - could be in real jeopardy.
Posting an update on social media after leaving hospital on Sunday morning, De Bruyne confirmed that he had suffered fractures to both his nose and eye socket.
"Hi guys just got back from the hospital," he tweeted.
"My diagnosis is Acute nose bone fracture and left orbital fracture. I feel okay now. Still disappointed about yesterday obviously but we will be back."
Manchester City and Chelsea both wished De Bruyne a speedy recovery on social media.
Hi guys just got back from the hospital. My diagnosis is Acute nose bone fracture and left orbital fracture. I feel okay now. Still disappointed about yesterday obviously but we will be back
— Kevin De Bruyne (@DeBruyneKev) May 30, 2021
Attentions will now turn to whether he will need to miss the start of the Euros, or potentially be fitted with a mask that will enable him to play despite those facial injuries.
The 80-cap De Bruyne was of course named in Roberto Martinez’s star-studded 26-man final squad for the tournament announced earlier in May and is regarded as one of his country’s most pivotal players.
Belgium play Euro warm-up friendlies against Greece (June 3) and Croatia (June 6) in Brussels next week before opening their Group B campaign against Russia in Saint Petersburg on June 12.
They then meet Denmark in Copenhagen on June 17 before battling Finland back in Saint Petersburg on June 21.
