Kevin de Bruyne has been forced off through injury in the Champions League final against Inter Milan.
It is a massive blow to Manchester City, chasing their first success in the competition while De Bruyne has been a crucial player for Pep Guardiola.
The Belgium international had been carrying a hamstring injury, even playing through the pain against Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
But it was a bridge too far on Saturday as he came off after just over 30 minutes.
It is a repeat of the last time City made it to a Champions League final when De Bruyne was forced off against Chelsea in 2021.
They went on to lose that final, lacking the creative genius that only the 31-year-old can provide.
In Istanbul, De Bruyne tried to motor on after initially going down but it became quickly apparent that he could not continue.
And Pep Guardiola already appeared to know, having Foden primed and ready to come on even before the substitution was made.
De Bruyne was helped off the pitch by Erling Haaland, who might be the biggest victim after feeding off the playmaker’s brilliant passes all season.
The former Chelsea star looked like he tried to keep his emotions intact as he hobbled towards the City dugout.
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He was later spotted with an ice pack strapped around his hamstring, confirming that it was indeed the same injury he has been carrying for some time.
And it is a huge blow to Guardiola, who is trying to win the Champions League for the first time since 2011.
City are just one step away from winning the treble, having already won the Premier League and FA Cup.
But without their talismanic midfielder, that task has become much more difficult.
De Bruyne has been in sensational form this season, scoring 10 and assisting an incredible 31 times in all competitions.
Before the final, he was full of confidence that City would triumph in the Champions League.
“I see it as winning the Champions League,” he said this week
“We’re in the final so we know if we win the final it is a treble.
“But it’s winning that competition, and then the consequences after if you win it then you have the treble.”
