Antonio Rudiger apologizes to Kevin De Bruyne for injury

Chelsea star Rudiger apologizes to Kevin De Bruyne for the accident that left Man city captain with a broken nose in the Champions League final

During Saturday's Champions League final, Kevin De Bruyne suffered an acute nose bone fracture and a left orbital fracture, according to him.

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has apologised to Kevin De Bruyne for the collision that left Man City's captain Kevin De Bruyne with a broken nose.

The Blues defender was instrumental in his team's 1-0 win at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto.

Kai Havertz scored the game's winner in the first half, forcing City to come out in the second half and boost the ante.

They were halted in their tracks, though, when De Bruyne was hauled off after a clash with the German on the hour.

"I'm really sorry for @DeBruyneKev 's injury. Rudiger wrote on social media.

"Of course this was not intentional from me - I've already been in touch with Kevin personally and I really wish him a speedy recovery & hope we can see him back on the pitch very soon again."

I'm really sorry for @DeBruyneKev's injury. Of course this was not intentional from me - I've already been in touch with Kevin personally and I really wish him a speedy recovery & hope we can see him back on the pitch very soon again ✊🏾⚽ #UCLFinal

— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) May 30, 2021

On Sunday morning, the Belgian midfielder provided an update.

He tweeted, "Hi guys just got back from the hospital."

"My diagnosis is Acute nose bone fracture and left orbital fracture. I feel okay now. Still disappointed about yesterday obviously but we will be back."

Hi guys just got back from the hospital. My diagnosis is Acute nose bone fracture and left orbital fracture. I feel okay now. Still disappointed about yesterday obviously but we will be back

— Kevin De Bruyne (@DeBruyneKev) May 30, 2021

The injury that forced De Bruyne off left him obviously distraught.

City failed to win the Champions League, which its owners so desperately desired.

De Bruyne's participation at the European Championships, which begin in less than a fortnight, is now in doubt.

Belgium is one of the favourites, and their campaign begins on June 12 against Russia.

After witnessing the event, their manager, Roberto Martinez, was furious, believing Rudiger should have received a red card.

He said: “For me, Rudiger is very, very fortunate. When you look at the replay, there's no clash of heads.

“He’s properly leaving the shoulder against Kevin. He seems concussed and we will see the state of that.

“But that leaves a sour taste, because Rudiger’s holding his head, it’s almost that he wants to show that he’s hiding something.

“For me, it was excessive force and it was reckless. And it should have been a red card. Kevin is not a player that goes down for no reason. You can see the pain and it’s a swollen eye.”

Speaking after the defeat Man City manager Pep Guardiola said: “It was a tight game and I think, being the first time in the Champions League (final), we played a really good final.

"We showed courage, especially in the second half. It’s not easy to play this competition for all of us, it’s our first time (in the final) but we did everything.

“I just want to congratulate the players for an exceptional season and the game they played today.”