Kevin De Bruyne, the decorated skipper of Manchester City, has dropped a bombshell. He has made it clear that he will depart the club when his contract runs out at the end of this season. The 33-year-old playmaker revealed this significant decision last month, expressing surprise at the absence of a contract renewal offer from the club. His departure marks the end of an extraordinary decade at Manchester City. During those 19 years, he was a key player in building the team’s legacy of success on the field and beyond.
Having played a decade for the club, De Bruyne has amassed an incredible 16 pieces of silverware during his time at the Etihad. His impact on the game has been remarkable, both on and off the field. He even equaled a Premier League record by setting up 846 chances. This scoring record puts him equal with former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas. It’s a testament to all the ways he’s changed the landscape of English football – for the better.
Pep Guardiola’s Emotional Tribute
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was equally profuse in his praise for De Bruyne. He added that some players were irreplaceable, and De Bruyne is one of them. After the match, Guardiola highlighted as De Bruyne’s contributions what made the difference, like so:
“There are players who are irreplaceable, of course, so difficult to do. It’s not about how much they provide in goals or assists or incredible steals. (It’s) the connection, the way you play, and year by year, provide for this club that the people love.”
Guardiola’s emotions were palpable during De Bruyne’s farewell, with tears streaming down his face as he acknowledged the profound impact the midfielder has had on the team and its culture.
In addition to Guardiola’s heartfelt words, a post-game video tribute showcased former City teammates such as Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling, and Vincent Kompany paying homage to De Bruyne’s legacy. The beautiful tribute served to draw attention to those deep connections made over decades of friendship and collective achievement.
A Lasting Legacy
De Bruyne’s absence will certainly be felt on the field. His legacy will be honored by fans with a permanent tribute. Manchester City intend to build a statue of De Bruyne outside the Etihad Stadium. This tribute will forever honor his amazing contributions to the club.
Looking back on the journey he’s taken, De Bruyne said he felt thankful and at home in Manchester City. He stated,
“It means I will always be part of this club. I’ll always represent a small piece of that.”
At his emotional farewell, he reflected on how special his time with the club has been, stating,
“I think after 10 years it was about time somebody let me talk a bit and it’s time to say goodbye. I will be back but we love you and see you soon.”
Teammates Join in Farewell
De Bruyne’s man-mates made sure to take a moment to salute him after his last match at home, too. Stars such as Erling Haaland and Sergio Aguero came out to express their admiration. They recognized his service and leadership to the team as a whole. The tributes highlight how unstoppable De Bruyne has been. They showcase the jubilation and deep respect as well as admiration he earned from his teammates.
