Pep Guardiola, the head coach of Manchester City, has disclosed that Kevin De Bruyne could face an absence of up to four months due to a recurring hamstring injury. This ailment resurfaced during Friday’s 3-0 victory over Burnley, where De Bruyne was substituted just 23 minutes into the match. Notably, the midfielder encountered a similar issue that forced him off the field during last season’s Champions League final.

Guardiola confirmed that the 32-year-old footballer is dealing with a hamstring injury that could necessitate surgery. De Bruyne’s setbacks date back to the Champions League final in June, where he departed the pitch in the first half and subsequently missed the entire pre-season.

Following this recovery period, De Bruyne made his return as a substitute in the Community Shield, where Manchester City suffered a shootout loss against Arsenal. He then captained the team in the Premier League opener against Burnley. However, his playing time was short-lived, lasting only 23 minutes before signaling to the bench about discomfort.

Guardiola disclosed that the current issue stems from the same hamstring problem and was initially anticipated to lead to “a few weeks” of absence. Regrettably, the situation is more severe than initially assessed, necessitating a potential surgical solution.

The decision regarding surgery is anticipated to be made in the upcoming days, with the prognosis indicating a potential absence of “three or four months,” as stated by Guardiola. Addressing inquiries about the underlying causes of De Bruyne’s recurring hamstring troubles, Guardiola appeared to express concern about the shortened pre-season preparations following the club’s triumphant treble-winning campaign.

As per the team’s manager, it will require about 25-day preparation for the injuries like this to be averted. While the option of refraining from playing is present, conversations were held with doctors and physiotherapists, and De Bruyne had felt fit to play. Unfortunately, the unfortunate turn of events unfolded.”