Kevin De Bruyne Wears Napoli's Iconic Shirt Number

Kevin De Bruyne has been pictured wearing Napoli's most famous ever shirt, the No. 10 jersey, sparking questions about his potential to become the first player to wear it in almost 20 years. The Belgian midfielder chose Napoli last month after Manchester City decided not to offer him a new contract.

What happened?

De Bruyne played no part in the recent FIFA Club World Cup, citing the risk of injury and the lack of sense in participating without a new contract. He had already started working with Napoli, with the club publishing pictures of him wearing the No. 10 training kit.

Why it matters for Kevin De Bruyne

The No. 10 jersey was famously worn by Diego Maradona, who led Napoli to its first ever Serie A titles in 1986-87 and 1989-90. The jersey was permanently retired in 2006, but was reissued in 2000 due to league regulations.

What comes next?

The likelihood of the No. 10 being unretired for De Bruyne seems slim, despite the excitement generated by the pictures of him wearing the training kit. De Bruyne's decision to join Napoli has given him a head start on his ex-City teammates, who have only had two weeks of rest after the Club World Cup. The 34-year-old has already begun working with his new team, while his former teammates are still on break. Napoli's decision to publish pictures of De Bruyne wearing the No. 10 training kit has set pulses racing among fans. The club's stadium was renamed in honor of Maradona after his passing in 2020. De Bruyne's move to Napoli has generated significant interest, with fans eager to see him in action. The Belgian midfielder's experience and skill will be a valuable asset to the Serie A champions. As De Bruyne begins his new chapter with Napoli, fans will be watching closely to see if he can live up to the legacy of the iconic No. 10 jersey.