India, Aug. 4 -- Kevin De Bruyne is unlikely to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, sources at the Major League Soccer club have confirmed.

The legendary midfielder left Manchester City for SSC Napoli in Italy last summer on a free transfer. However, he endured a torrid debut season in Serie A, struggling physically after undergoing surgery on a serious thigh injury in October that sidelined him for several months. But more importantly, he found himself at a tactical impasse in manager Antonio Conte's defensive system. New manager Max Allegri sports a similar style, and so, as a result, the 35-year-old playmaker has been linked with a departure from Naples all summer.

The MLS was pegged as an attractive option for De Bruyne. At Inter Miam...