The wait is finally over for the Partenopei! On Monday, March 2, 2026, Kevin De Bruyne made his long-awaited return to full group training at Castel Volturno.
The Belgian maestro has been sidelined for 128 days after suffering a high-grade hamstring tear during Napoli’s 3–1 win over Inter Milan back in October 2025.
His return is the ultimate "shot in the arm" for Antonio Conte’s side as they enter the final stretch of the Serie A season, battling to secure a Champions League spot.
The Long Road Back: 128 Days of Recovery
De Bruyne’s injury was particularly cruel—he pulled up while converting a penalty against Inter and was forced to undergo surgery in Antwerp.
"The dark days of the gym are behind me. Feels good to be back with the team!" — Kevin De Bruyne on Instagram following Monday's session.
The "Conte" Boost: What KDB Brings Back
Napoli have felt his absence deeply. Before the injury, De Bruyne was arguably the most influential player in the league, recording 4 goals and 2 assists in just 11 games.
Creative Vacuum: In the 19 games De Bruyne missed, Napoli’s "Expected Goals" (xG) from open play dropped by nearly 25%.
The Lukaku Connection: The "Belgian Bromance" is back. De Bruyne’s return is expected to reignite Romelu Lukaku's scoring form, as the two have a storied history of telepathic link-up play for the national team.
Torino Target: While Conte is known for his caution, reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest KDB could be named on the bench for this Friday’s clash against Torino.
The Verdict: Napoli have missed De Bruyne’s leadership and final-third quality. While they likely won't catch Inter at the top of the table, his return makes them the favorites to clinch that 3rd or 4th place finish.