Kevin De Bruyne bid an emotional farewell to the Etihad Stadium after making his ultimate dwelling look for Manchester Metropolis on Tuesday.
De Bruyne will depart Metropolis on the finish of the season and was given a guard of honour by his teammates after serving to Metropolis to a 3-1 win over Bournemouth that put them on the point of Champions League qualification.
The Belgium worldwide, who has gained 14 main trophies in a embellished 10-year spell with Metropolis, was performed a video that includes tributes from a bunch of former Metropolis colleagues and his spouse and three kids, who joined him on the pitch to say goodbye to the followers on the Etihad.
Addressing the group, De Bruyne mirrored on the legacy he leaves whereas explaining what the membership and metropolis imply to him and his household.
“Manchester is dwelling, Manchester is the place these little children had been born,” he mentioned. “I got here right here with my spouse, Michelle, to remain for a very long time, didn’t anticipate to be right here 10 years. To do what we’ve executed as a membership, supporters, teammates we’ve gained all the things. We made town, the membership greater and now they’re going to take over.
“I wished to play with creativity, I wished to play with ardour. I wished to take pleasure in soccer and I hope everybody loved it. Everyone has pushed me so arduous inside and outdoors the membership to be the very best model of myself and these guys, all people we see on the display screen and these guys in entrance of me have made me higher than I used to be earlier than. It’s an honour to play with these guys. I’ve made so many pals for all times. We’ll be again for certain quickly.
Tributes to King Kev 🩵 pic.twitter.com/j3GYdsLXiA
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) May 20, 2025
“This crew tries to entertain individuals and win. This crew works extremely arduous all people behind the scenes and on the pitch. This crew will win sooner or later, with or with out me, and all people within the metropolis, the supporters, will probably be behind the crew like they’ve executed with me for the final 10 years. This crew could have success that’s for certain.
“You simply wish to do properly and win after which while you win you wish to win extra. You wish to push town and we’ve had 5/six parades and that’s been unbelievable to witness all the things that goes round within the metropolis. All of the moments with these teammates there’s been too many to rely. It’s been a pleasure.”
On the followers, who serenaded De Bruyne with chants of his title all through the night, De Bruyne added: “They’ve been so welcoming from the start. To have nearly a full stadium supporting my household and me says all the things. Who can have 50,00 individuals ready so that you can say goodbye? It’s indescribable and thanks very a lot.”
Earlier within the day a mosaic of De Bruyne was unveiled on the Metropolis Soccer Academy, nevertheless it was revealed {that a} statue of De Bruyne may also be constructed as a tribute to the indelible mark he has left.
We’ll honour @KevinDeBruyne’s unbelievable decade of service to the Membership by commissioning a particular statue celebrating the midfielder’s magnificent Etihad profession 👑
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) May 20, 2025
“It means I’ll all the time be a part of this membership,” De Bruyne mentioned of that honour.
“I all the time characterize a small piece of that and at any time when I come again with these guys and with household and pals I will see myself standing across the stadium. I’ll all the time be right here.
“I believe one of the simplest ways to explain my life with my spouse and my three children is we’ve slot in completely. We perceive the place the membership has come to and why the membership means rather a lot to lots of people.
“Collectively we’ve constructed a giant future for you guys, for the membership to carry out the way in which this membership will carry out. I do know this has been a little bit of a tricky 12 months for us however I believe the crew deserves all of the help from you guys.
“I do know they’re pushing actually arduous and this crew will probably be again subsequent 12 months pushing for all of the titles, in order that they deserve this.
“I believe after 10 years it was about time someone let me discuss a bit and it’s time to say goodbye. I will probably be again however we love you and see you quickly.”
