Kevin De Bruyne only lasted 45 minutes for Manchester City in their Champions League opener with Inter Milan.

The midfielder appeared to pick up an injury in the 43rd minute of their clash at the Etihad Stadium, and was later removed from the fray.

TNT SportsDe Bruyne appeared to be in trouble late in the first half[/caption]

With the game scoreless, De Bruyne tried his luck with an effort at Inter’s Yann Sommer, and then went to take the resulting corner.

There, he knelt to the ground clutching his groin in worrying scenes for the Premier League champions.

The Belgian became City’s captain this season and will be integral in their pursuit of another Champions League title.

De Bruyne hasn’t cut a happy figure, though, having been linked with Saudi Pro League sides for much of the summer transfer window.

The 33-year-old talked up the move in one interview, and since the start of the season has expressed his discontent with European football.

De Bruyne appeared to threaten to quit the Belgian national team during the most recent international break, and has regularly complained about the football schedule and how it will lead to injuries.

Speaking during the most recent break, he said: “The real problem will emerge after the Club World Cup.

“We know there will be only three weeks between the Club World Cup final and the first Premier League match. So, we have three weeks to rest and prepare for another 80 matches.

“Maybe this year things will be OK, but next year could be problematic. The Professional Footballers’ Association in England and other player associations have tried to find solutions.

“The issue is that UEFA and FIFA keep adding extra matches, and we can raise concerns, but no solutions have been found. It seems that money speaks louder than the players’ voices.”