Kevin De Bruyne’s last appearance at the Etihad Stadium was a fitting one – one that left an indelible mark on fans and teammates. Banners featuring his face covered every inch of the venue. They praised his incredible influence on Manchester City for almost a decade. On a day filled with emotion, the team celebrated his contributions while preparing to say goodbye to one of their most pivotal players.
De Bruyne’s stats complete the picture of what has been a brilliant Premier League career. Since his debut in September 2015, he is now up to 190 goal involvements, ranking him fourth on the all-time list. His creative genius is one of a kind. During this time he has produced 843 chances, cementing his legacy as the league’s most productive playmaking machine. With 119 assists to his name, De Bruyne ranks second in the Premier League’s history, trailing only Ryan Giggs, who recorded 162 assists. His goal scoring record is impressive having netted 72 goals in 283 top-flight appearances, proving his consistency and ability at the highest level.
The midfielder’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. Over his time with Manchester City, he collected an impressive 16 winners’ medals, solidifying his place as one of the most successful players in the club’s history. He concluded his last home league match with a rousing 3-1 win over Bournemouth. This win provided the ideal send-off for a player who has become something of an icon with the club’s recent achievements.
Fellow players and supporters paid their respects as De Bruyne walked onto the pitch for one final time. He beamed as he took his place with his wife and small children flanking him. His teammates paid tribute to him with an emotional guard of honour, a testament to the love and respect he garnered over the years. To honor his legacy, they unveiled an incredible mural in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. This work of art further cements his legacy as a legendary figure in the city.
Prior to kickoff, De Bruyne shared a touching exchange with his kids. In the emotional farewell he posted on his Facebook page, he spoke candidly and poignantly about the relationships he built while at City. “Everybody saw how much the people from Manchester City are connected with him and his family and how much love [they have],” noted Pep Guardiola, who praised De Bruyne’s influence on and off the pitch.
Guardiola further emphasized De Bruyne’s unique talent, stating, “There is absolutely no doubt he is a genius. For him it is so easy.” The manager worships De Bruyne. He was generous in his comments, going as far as calling him the “second best” passer he’s ever worked with, second only to Lionel Messi himself.
Amidst the celebrations and tributes, De Bruyne expressed his sentiments about leaving City after a decade filled with memories and achievements. “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,” Guardiola remarked, underscoring the legacy De Bruyne leaves behind.
Manchester City are taking a lap to salute the genius of Kevin De Bruyne. They haven’t forgotten and they’re going to build a statue of him in front of the Etihad Stadium. He understood the welcome and proclaimed, “I will eternally be here.” This simple but potent proclamation marked his permanent relationship with the team and fans.
As fans exited the stadium, they walked away with indelible memories of De Bruyne’s transcendent performances remaining. They talked about his thread-the-needle passes, jaw-dropping goal-scoring ability and tireless work ethic. Jamie Redknapp captured the sentiment perfectly when he remarked, “Who is the next De Bruyne in world football? They don’t exist. He is like a unicorn, so don’t even bother looking for another KDB.”
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