Kevin De Bruyne requests to skip Belgium international squad for two months, confirms manager Domenico Tedesco | OneFootball

Manchester City’s vice-captain and Belgium international star Kevin De Bruyne has requested to be excluded from the next two national team squad, it has been confirmed.

The 33-year-old is currently sidelined at the Etihad Stadium with somewhat of a minor injury sustained in UEFA Champions League action last month, appearing to signal towards a groin problem during the 0-0 draw with Inter Milan.

Pep Guardiola has consistently indicated that the injury problem is not one that Manchester City are concerned about, nor is it a serious injury itself, however De Bruyne has required absence from a growing list of contests across all competitions since being substituted.

As part of his ongoing absence for the Premier League champions, De Bruyne has now also indicated a desire to be excluded from the next two international squads for Belgium, in details revealed by the Red Devils’ head coach this week.

Speaking upon the announcement of his latest Belgium squad for their upcoming two UEFA Nations League matches in October, manager Domenico Tedesco has revealed the nature of Kevin De Bruyne’s exclusion from selection.

“I had a long phone conversation with Kevin (De Bruyne),” Tedesco said on Friday. “He has an injury, but he is very motivated to continue with the Red Devils and to play the World Cup in 2026.”

The Belgium head coach continued, “He has asked to skip this camp and also November, to be able to take care of his body. The schedule has become even busier due to the World Cup for clubs.

“That is why he is not there now and in November. But when it really counts – the World Cup – he will be there.”

Domenico Tedesco was also asked to comment on De Bruyne’s outburst during the last international break, when the Manchester City playmaker was publicly critical of his teammates’ performance in a comfortable defeat to Nations League rivals France.

“Kevin is a big player, but also a big personality. We talked after what happened in the last match. Of course he was emotional, he always wants to win. But he never mentioned names in the media,” said Tedesco.

“We just have to deal with it. In the media it has become a big item, just because it was Kevin who said it. But in the dressing room it is not a big topic.”

Kevin De Bruyne’s recent injury frustrations will naturally raise questions as to how long he could have left at the very top of the elite game, amid growing interest in his signature from the likes of Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League.

The latest information has pointed towards the Middle-East and suggestions that Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is currently urging officials at Al-Nassr to make De Bruyne am eyewatering £1 million-a-week offer.

The 39-year-old reportedly believes the arguably Manchester City’s greatest-ever midfielder would transform the club into the best within Saudi Arabia, and wants them to take advantage of his contract situation.