Kevin De Bruyne is back on the training pitch, and two very different audiences are paying attention. Football fans at SSC Napoli are breathing easier after the Belgian midfielder returned to the club’s training ground at Castel Volturno following roughly 128 days sidelined with a high-grade hamstring injury. But the crypto world has its own reasons to watch: De Bruyne has been a global brand ambassador for the Phemex exchange since May 2022, making him one of the most prominent athlete-crypto partnerships still standing.
The 34-year-old suffered a severe lesion in his right thigh muscle back in October 2025, shortly after completing his high-profile transfer from Manchester City to Napoli. His return to training on February 22-23, 2026, marks a significant milestone, both for a club navigating a difficult season and for a crypto exchange that has staked part of its brand identity on his image.
From the treatment table to Castel Volturno
De Bruyne’s injury was classified as high-grade, which in medical terms means substantial muscle fiber damage requiring extended rehabilitation. Napoli’s performance reportedly took a hit during De Bruyne’s absence, which makes his reassurance to fans that he will return to full fitness more than just a feel-good quote.
