Fans Left Furious as Kevin De Bruyne’s Man City Return Ends After Just 26 Minutes

Football fans are not happy after Manchester City legend Kevin de Bruyne was taken off the pitch just minutes into his return to the Etihad Stadium.

On Thursday night, the final matches of the opening round of the 2025/26 Champions League kicked off across Europe.

Several of the biggest teams on the continent are competing including tournament favourites Barcelona who face Newcastle United at St James' Park.

But Newcastle United aren't the only Premier League side welcoming a European giant to England, as Manchester City host Serie A winners Napoli in their opening Champions League fixture.

In doing so, City legend Kevin de Bruyne was given the opportunity to return to his former club after leaving in the summer following the expiration of his contract, but things didn't go exactly to plan.

Image: Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

As the clash between City and Napoli kicked off at the Etihad Stadium, both sides remained composed in the opening minutes of the match, making sure not to follow Atletico Madrid's mistakes in the beginning of their match against Liverpool.

However, things quickly took a turn for the worse for the Italian side as full-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo was shown a red card following a check from VAR for a foul on City striker Erling Haaland on the edge of the box.

Now reduced to 10 men, Napoli manager Antonio Conte decided that he needed to bring another defender onto the pitch, and in doing so he decided to take De Bruyne off.

Reacting to the moment, one fan wrote on X: "Conte done de bruyne dirty there."

Another added: "They replaced De Bruyne, Conte I will never forgive you."

While one claimed: "Conte's decision to sub off De Bruyne so early, even with Napoli down to 10 men, feels like a missed opportunity to let a player of his caliber turn the game around."

De Bruyne's return to the Etihad was cut short. (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

During commentary for the match Sky Italia's Fabio Caressa reportedly said: “De Bruyne deserves 8/10 in his player rating for his reaction to be substituted.

"Back at City after 10 years at the club, he’s taken off after 25 minutes, he thanks the crowd and there’s not a hint of a negative reaction out of him”

However, the moment will still be one to remember for the Belgian midfielder, as fans of both teams applauded him and chanted his name as he came off the pitch at the Etihad.

Di Lorenzo's red card and De Bruyne's early exit appears to have completely change the match as Conte's side appear to now be prioritising defending and ensuring they don't leave Manchester with no points.