Kevin De Bruyne is very much the talisman for his club as well as his country, who will have high hopes of doing well at the tournament in Germany, but there is a perennial air of fragility over his physical condition. — AFP picBRUSSELS, June 5 — Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne’s form since his return from injury at club level with Manchester City has seen him play a big part in their Premier League title success and his national team are hoping it continues into the European Championship.
He missed the early part of City’s season with a hamstring injury and won the last of his 99 caps for Belgium more than a year ago in a March 2023 friendly win away to Germany. But having him fit for the tournament, where Belgium kick off their Group E campaign against Slovakia in Frankfurt on June 17, will be the priority.
De Bruyne, who will turn 33 during the tournament, labelled the Belgium side too old in Qatar. They flopped amid reports of friction in the camp, going out in the first round. Tedesco has done much refreshing of the team and their tactics since.