After a tearful farewell at the Etihad Stadium, Kevin De Bruyne has officially closed the most glorious chapter of his career at Manchester City. The Belgian maestro, who arrived in 2015 with critics doubting his worth, now leaves the club as a legend, with trophies, records, and the undying affection of City fans worldwide.
But Kevin’s journey to greatness wasn’t paved with hype or headlines. His rise was quiet, methodical, and deeply human. From a small town in Belgium to the pinnacle of world football, his story is one of talent, resilience, and a relentless work ethic.
Humble Beginnings in Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne was born on June 28, 1991, in Drongen, a small town in East Flanders, Belgium. A multilingual child with a diverse background, his mother has roots in both English and Burundian cultures. Kevin began playing football at the age of 6. He first joined KVV Drongen before moving to the youth systems of Gent and then Genk.
It was in Genk that he laid the foundation for his professional career. After making his senior debut in 2009, he quickly became a key figure for the team. By 2011, he helped Genk win the Belgian Pro League, announcing himself as one of the brightest young talents in the country.
He wasn’t flashy, but even then, his intelligence on the ball, vision, and maturity stood out.
The Chelsea Setback and the German Rebirth
In 2012, English giants Chelsea snapped him up. Many believed it was his big break. But the Premier League has a way of swallowing talent that doesn’t immediately shine. Under the management of José Mourinho, De Bruyne struggled to find playing time, making only a handful of appearances.
Loaned out to Werder Bremen, he flourished, scoring 10 goals and countless key passes in a single Bundesliga season. Still, he couldn’t convince Chelsea to keep him.
So in January 2014, he made what would become a career-defining move to Wolfsburg. In Germany, De Bruyne blossomed. The 2014–15 season was his breakout season: he recorded 21 assists in the Bundesliga, a new record, and won multiple individual awards, including German Footballer of the Year. He guided Wolfsburg to a DFB-Pokal title and became one of Europe’s hottest prospects.
That season, Kevin wasn’t just good, he was unplayable.
Building a Legacy at Manchester City
In the summer of 2015, Manchester City paid a club-record fee of around £55 million to bring him back to England. The fee raised eyebrows at the time. Many still remembered his “failure” at Chelsea. What followed, however, was nothing short of spectacular.
Under Pep Guardiola’s system, De Bruyne evolved into one of the most complete midfielders in football history. His incredible range of passing, deadly crosses, long-range shooting, and tactical intelligence turned him into the heartbeat of City’s midfield.
Over 10 seasons, he helped the club win:
- 6 Premier League titles
- 5 EFL Cups
- 2 FA Cups
- 1 UEFA Champions League (2022–23)
- 1 UEFA Super Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup
He broke assist records, matched Thierry Henry’s single-season Premier League assist record (20), and eventually became City’s all-time leading assist provider with 177 assists across all competitions.
By the time he waved goodbye in May 2025, De Bruyne had played 422 matches for Manchester City, scoring 108 goals and providing countless magical moments.
The Emotional Farewell
His final appearance at the Etihad was one for the ages. As City fans stood and applauded, De Bruyne couldn’t hold back his tears. Neither could his manager Pep Guardiola, who was visibly emotional on the sidelines.
The club announced plans to honour him with a statue outside the stadium and named a section of the youth academy after him.
The city didn’t just lose a player; it lost a leader, a creator, and a symbol of its most dominant era.
A Pillar of Belgium’s Golden Generation
For Belgium, De Bruyne has been equally influential. He debuted for the senior national team in 2010 and went on to become one of the Red Devils’ most consistent performers.
He starred in multiple international tournaments:
- 2014 FIFA World Cup (Quarterfinalist)
- 2016 EURO (Quarterfinalist)
- 2018 FIFA World Cup (3rd place finish)
- 2020 & 2024 European Championships
After Eden Hazard’s retirement in 2023, De Bruyne took over as national team captain. He led by example, quiet authority rather than vocal aggression. In June 2024, he celebrated his 100th cap with a goal against Montenegro.
As of July 2025, he has played 104 games for Belgium, scoring 27 goals and providing 49 assists.
Just when many thought he’d retire or move to MLS or the Middle East, Kevin surprised everyone by signing with Serie A side Napoli for the 2025–26 season.
At 34, he’s still got plenty to offer. His game isn’t built on pace, but on intelligence, timing, and vision, traits that age gracefully. Napoli is rebuilding, and De Bruyne could be the spark that reignites their ambitions.
It’s not just a transfer. It’s the next chapter of a career that’s already inspired millions.
Why De Bruyne Will Be Remembered
Kevin De Bruyne never needed drama to make headlines. He didn’t scream into microphones or dive into controversies. He let his football do the talking, and it spoke volumes.
He’s the kind of player coaches dream of: intelligent, disciplined, hardworking, and always two steps ahead. Fans adored him for his humility and his moments of brilliance. Teammates trusted him. Opponents feared him.
He’s not just one of Manchester City’s greatest ever players. He’s one of football’s great thinkers on the pitch, an artist with a GPS in his head, painting passes no one else sees.
Kevin De Bruyne’s departure from Manchester City feels like the end of an era, not just for the club, but for the Premier League. But it’s also the beginning of something new.
In a sport obsessed with flash, De Bruyne showed that calm, consistency, and clarity can be just as powerful. He inspired a generation of young midfielders to value intelligence over ego, vision over volume.
The quiet genius has left the stage in Manchester, but his football story is far from over. And for that, we should all be grateful.
