Kevin De Bruyne has asked to be left out of Belgium’s upcoming games, coach Domenico Tedesco has revealed.
Belgium captain De Bruyne is struggling with a hamstring problem which has ruled him out of City’s last four matches.
The 33-year-old wasn’t included in Belgium’s squad for their October Nations League games away to Italy and at home to France.
Tedesco disclosed that De Bruyne has also requested not to be included in Belgium’s November fixtures at home to Italy and away to Israel.
Tedesco said: ‘I had a long phone conversation with Kevin.
Captain Kevin De Bruyne asked to miss Belgium’s October and November fixtures
Domenico Tedesco revealed that De Bruyne is eager to manage his workload
‘He has asked to skip this camp and also November, to be able to take care of his body.’
Tedesco added that the Club World Cup, in which City are set to feature next summer, will increase the workload on players.
He said: ‘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.’
FIFA have stated that clubs must field their strongest players at the Club World Cup, which is set to take place between June 15 and July 13 2025.
De Bruyne made his Belgium debut in 2010 and has scored 30 goals in 107 games for his country.
De Bruyne hasn’t featured in City’s last four matches because of a hamstring problem
In September, De Bruyne was left hugely frustrated with Belgium’s performance in a 2-0 defeat to France. After the game he appeared to tell technical director Frank Vercauteren, ‘I quit’
Speaking to VTM, De Bruyne refused to repeat what he said to his team-mates in the dressing room.
He said: ‘I cannot repeat that in the media but it has to be better in every way.
‘If the standard we want to reach is the best, but we’re no longer good enough to get to that level, then you have to give everything.
‘If you don’t even do that, it’s over.’