Belgium coach Martinez says Man City ace De Bruyne now joining squad

Football
6 Jun 2021 • 12:23 AM MYT
Tribal Football
Tribal Football

Tribal Football covers news from the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A

Kevin de Bruyne has had minor surgery on his facial injury and will join the Belgium squad on Monday.

The Manchester City man, 29, fractured his nose and left eye socket in a clash with Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger in last Saturday's Champions League final.

Belgium meet Russia in their Euro 2020 opener on 12 June before facing Denmark (17 June) and Finland (21 June).

"The operation only took 20 minutes," said Belgium coach Roberto Martinez. "It went very well, very positively."

Belgium are the world's top-ranked team and De Bruyne is set to be a key player in their bid for a first major title.

"That small intervention was necessary with a view to the long term," Martinez added. "He will not need a long recovery.

"The medical staff are satisfied with the result. We are looking forward to Monday when he will join our squad."