After learning that Kevin De Bruyne might miss the remainder of the year due to a hamstring injury, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola claimed that a demanding schedule did not allow players to relax "mentally or physically."

In City's 3-0 victory over Burnley to start the Premier League season on Friday, De Bruyne appears to have limped out early.

Just over two months prior, as City defeated Inter Milan to win the Champions League final and claim the title of first-time European champions, the 32-year-old sustained a comparable injury.

"It's a serious injury," said Guardiola ahead of the UEFA Super Cup between City and Sevilla in Athens. "We have to decide surgery or not surgery."

He added: "Surgery I think will be three or four months out."

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De Bruyne joins a group of well-known players who have lost their lives early in the new season.

Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea had knee surgery due to an injury sustained on a subpar playing surface during a preseason friendly in Chicago.

Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia of Aston Villa, and Jurrien Timber, a new £40 million ($50 million) defender for Arsenal, apparently all had anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

"We had 25 days to prepare before the first game, which was a Champions League qualifier, in my first preseason with Barcelona. Before the first game of this season, we had four or five," continued Guardiola.


"Look at all the cruciate ligament injuries that occurred at the season's beginning in all the major leagues. The athletes don't take any mental or physical breaks.

The players get injured or will get hurt since they need these 25 days to prepare when the club forces them to travel to Asia or America and play challenging games on terrible fields.

City had already lost two of their most effective offensive players from the previous season: Riyad Mahrez moved to the Saudi club Al-Ahli, while Ilkay Gundogan joined Barcelona.

Lucas Paqueta of West Ham has been linked to the English champions, but Guardiola declined to comment on whether they will now be obliged to enter the transfer market for an offensive midfielder.


Although he can still rely on Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez to fill in, he claimed De Bruyne's skill set is "irreplaceable".

Kevin possesses particular talents. It is difficult for us to lose it for a very long time.

We must simultaneously look ahead. Even though we have players with varied talents, Kevin's qualities are irreplaceable.