Kevin De Bruyne: A Decade of Brilliance at Manchester City

After ten illustrious seasons, Kevin De Bruyne bids farewell to Manchester City, leaving behind a legacy that has indelibly shaped the club’s history and the Premier League at large.

Joining City in 2015 from VfL Wolfsburg, De Bruyne quickly established himself as a linchpin in Pep Guardiola’s side. Over 421 appearances, he netted 108 goals and provided 177 assists, showcasing his dual threat as both a scorer and creator. His vision, passing range, and tactical intelligence made him a perennial standout in midfield.

Trophy-Laden Tenure

De Bruyne’s time at City was marked by an impressive haul of silverware:

• Premier League Titles: 6

• League Cups: 5

• FA Cups: 2

• Community Shields: 3

• UEFA Champions League: 1

• UEFA Super Cup: 1

• FIFA Club World Cup: 1

His contributions were pivotal in City’s domestic dominance and their historic treble-winning campaign in 2022–23.

Beyond team achievements, De Bruyne amassed numerous individual honors:

• IFFHS Men’s World Team: 6 selections

• FIFA FIFPro World 11: 5 selections

• ESM Team of the Year: 5 selections

• PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 5 selections

• Manchester City Player of the Season: 4 times

• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 4 times

• UEFA Team of the Year: 3 times

• Best Belgian Player Abroad: 3 times

• IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker: 3 times

• Premier League Playmaker of the Season: 3 times

• PFA Players’ Player of the Year: 2 times

• Premier League Player of the Season: 2 times

• UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season: 1 time

De Bruyne’s final appearance at the Etihad Stadium was met with heartfelt tributes. Fans, teammates, and the club honored his contributions with a guard of honor and a commemorative mosaic at the City Football Academy. Reflecting on his departure, De Bruyne expressed deep gratitude:

“The only thing I can say is thank you. Thank you for supporting me, supporting the team, the club, supporting my family, my kids. It’s always been positive towards me and my family that’s really important for me.”

As De Bruyne embarks on the next chapter of his career, reports suggest a move to Serie A champions Napoli is on the horizon. While his departure marks the end of an era for Manchester City, his legacy as one of the club’s greatest players is firmly cemented.

Kevin De Bruyne’s decade at Manchester City was nothing short of extraordinary - a blend of individual brilliance and collective success that will be remembered for generations.