Belgian international Kevin de Bruyne will play his final match for Manchester City today after 10 years at the English club.
The Tronchienne-born playmaker made a huge impact at City, taking home 16 winners’ medals, including six Premier League titles, in a period of remarkable success for the Manchester club.
As club captain and creative lynchpin, de Bruyne’s influence was pivotal to City’s success. The player is adored in the blue half of Manchester, and the club recently announced they will name a road after him - Kevin de Bruyne Crescent - at the City Football Academy. City have also commissioned a statue of de Bruyne.
De Bruyne, 33, played his last match at City’s Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening. The Manchester club beat Bournemouth 3-1. Although it wasn’t a vintage performance by the Belgian - De Bruyne missed a sitter in the first half and was later substituted – he was given a fitting send off by players and fans.
He will take his final bow for the club this afternoon in an away match against London-based Fulham.
City manager Pep Guardiola was in tears during the midfielder’s farewell presentation at the Etihad. He said: "Everybody saw how much the people from Manchester City are connected with him and his family and how much love [they have].
"Titles are nice and everything that he has achieved, but when you leave after 10 years with this much respect and gratitude, there is nothing else better than that.
"I am part of that, the club will take the decision, but it is a sad day and he will be missed, there is no doubt about that."
Where next for Bruyne?
In April, de Bruyne announced he would be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season after the club decided not to renew his contract.
The midfielder is now faced with several options. He will reportedly make his final decision on where to play next season after the Premier League seasons ends today.
One option is to sign up with Major League Soccer team Chicago Fire who are among the frontrunners competing for his signature. There have also been rumours that Saudi Pro League club NEOM SC are interested in signing him.
According to talkSPORT, however, de Bruyne favours staying in Europe over a big-money move to the US or Saudi Arabia.
The Belgian wants to prioritise the needs of his young family and also wants to maximise his chances of being selected to play for Belgium in the 2026 World Cup.
Serie A giants Napoli are said to be strong contenders for de Bruyne’s signature, though his €12 million per year salary demands might be a stumbling block.
If de Bruyne is worried about uprooting his family, he might consider staying put in the north-west of England and making the short journey from Manchester to Merseyside.
Newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool have been touted as a wildcard option for de Bruyne. The Belgian is known to have supported the Reds as a boy, and he would surely be welcomed with open arms by the Anfield faithful.
