Goodbye De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne's contract with Manchester City expires this summer.

On the afternoon of April 4th, De Bruyne announced on his personal page that he would be leaving Manchester City after the end of this season. The era of one of the greatest midfielders in the Premier League has entered its final months.

Greatness

In 2015, the Belgian youngster brought his dreams and talent from Wolfsburg to England for a record transfer fee of £55 million. At the time, few people thought Manchester City had just acquired the perfect piece for Pep Guardiola's future era.

De Bruyne was initially seen simply as a player once cast aside by Chelsea, alongside much skepticism about his ability to adapt to the harsh environment of English football. But time always tells the story. De Bruyne not only adapted, but also reshaped the landscape of Premier League football.

The number 17 player transforms the English football pitch into a stage for extraordinary performances. De Bruyne's long-range shots and passes always amaze viewers with their perfect precision and beauty. Watching De Bruyne play is like watching a concert, where each note is placed in the right position to create a perfect melody.

With over 100 goals and nearly 200 assists in 380 Premier League games, statistics are impressive, but those numbers don't tell the whole story of De Bruyne. He also embodies the dominant football of Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.

De Bruyne became the "brain and heart" of a football empire that dominated England, winning 6 Premier League titles in 8 seasons, the 2023 Champions League, and numerous other domestic trophies.

All of these achievements bear the undeniable mark of the Belgian midfielder. De Bruyne's ability to see through the game is always astonishing. His passes seem to have eyes, always finding teammates no matter how tight the space.

De Bruyne truly deserves the title of legend of Manchester City and the Premier League.

Those were the moments when he set up Aguero to defeat Manchester United in 2018 – a diagonal pass that sliced through the opposing defense like a knife through butter, or the stunning long-range goal against Chelsea in 2017, a shot that even his compatriot Thibaut Courtois could only watch helplessly.

A well-timed farewell

But age and injury are always the unforgiving enemies of any football player. At 33, De Bruyne no longer possesses the same stamina. The 2024/25 season saw a complete decline in De Bruyne's performance following injury.

Upon his return, the midfielder's runs were no longer as light and graceful as before. With Manchester City also entering a period of transformation, Pep Guardiola was forced to consider options for refreshing the squad. De Bruyne's decision to leave was a logical one.

De Bruyne is at a crucial crossroads in his career. The MLS or the Saudi Pro League are seen as potential destinations for the final leg of his journey.

At this age, he deserves a lucrative contract at the end of his career, after all he has contributed to Manchester City.

Nevertheless, no matter where De Bruyne goes, he will always be a legend of Man City. The name Kevin De Bruyne will forever be associated with the golden era of "The Citizens," with his magical passes and artistic goals.

The number 17 shirt may no longer be seen at the Etihad Stadium, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of the fans.