Fans react after seeing what happened on Kevin De Bruyne's debut for Napoli as compilation emerges

Kevin De Bruyne made his much-anticipated debut for Napoli on Tuesday afternoon as they came up against Serie C side Arezzo, although it was hardly the most memorable of performances from Antonio Conte's side.

The 33-year-old midfielder bid an emotional farewell to Manchester City this summer after 10 trophy-laden years.

De Bruyne, who won six Premier League titles at City, as well as five League Cups, two FA Cups and a Champions League, was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, and even engaged in "serious" and "positive" talks to join Neom SC.

But the Belgian opted to continue his career in Europe with reigning Serie A champions Napoli, who have allowed De Bruyne to train wearing Diego Maradona’s iconic No 10 in recent days.

Asked about wearing Maradona’s number, he said: “I would say I was a bit surprised in the beginning. Because obviously I know that the number was retired. But in another way, it’s an honour. It’s an honour from the team and from the club to give me this responsibility."

De Bruyne makes his Napoli debut. Image credit: Getty

The Belgian featured in the pre-season clash for 45 minutes. Image credit: Getty

It has been a whirlwind few days for De Bruyne, but he and the rest of his teammates were brought back down to earth on Tuesday as they began their 2025/26 campaign with a surprise 2–0 defeat against third-tier side Arezzo.

De Bruyne was named in Conte's starting line-up for the pre-season clash alongside fellow debutants Noa Lang and Lorenzo Lucca, and combined well with Alessandro Zanoli on a number of occasions, blazing wide twice.

A match report from Italian outlet GOAL commented on De Bruyne's display as they described a first half characterised by "a slow pace" and "few noteworthy collective plays."

They added: "The Belgian still found a way to lead the charge as best he could, eventually adapting to a game that was still far from fluid and needed further testing to return to the levels we've come to know. In short, there's plenty of time to see what's better."

Here's how fans on social media reacted to Napoli's first defeat of pre-season.

One said: "Not the best debut for Kevin De Bruyne," while another commented: "Anyway, I'm here to confirm that we can't play football without Scott McTominay." A third added: "Not the start De Bruyne wanted."

De Bruyne opens up on reality of being a free agent after Manchester City departure

Speaking in a recent interview, the 34-year-old gave a fascinating insight into what it was like to be without a club.

“It’s the first time I’ve been in a situation where I was (a) free (agent) — I’ve always had a contract,” he said, as per The Athletic. “So it was always easy for me [previously]. Every summer, I was just easy. I was good.

“The longer the (2024-25) season went on with nothing going on, it was a bit stressful, because it’s a very new situation.

“But then obviously Napoli came, some other teams came, and they presented their projects, and then I think there was a lot of difference in the projects. It was lifestyle, it was competitiveness, all different types (of considerations).

“And the Napoli project for me was all around the best option for me. Because obviously, I think the main thing is (the club’s) competitiveness.

“But then obviously the lifestyle, the sun – it’s very different than what I used to, but I’m still a football player I’m very competitive, and I think I’m still able to perform at a good level.

“So as long as I’m playing football, I want to get the most out of myself. And once a day will come that I feel I’m not able to do it, and maybe I will make another decision, but now we are 34, I still feel I’m able to get a good level on myself, and I’m here to prove that I can do that.”