Kevin de Bruyne sent an emotional farewell to Etihad Stadium after his final family appearance at Manchester City on Tuesday.
De Bruyne will leave City at the end of the season and was awarded honor guard by teammates after helping City beat Bournemouth 3-1, putting them on the brink of Champions League qualification.
Belgium International won 14 major trophys in a 10-year spell decorated with City, playing a videotape that included many former city colleagues, his wife and three children who joined his stadium and said goodbye to fans in Atihad.
De Bruyne spoke to the crowd, reflecting on his legacy while explaining the meaning of the club and the city to him and his family.
“Marchester is at home, Manchester is where these little kids were born,” he said. “My wife, Michelle, came here for a long time and didn’t expect to be here for ten years. To do what we do as clubs, supporters, teammates, we won everything. We make the city, clubs bigger and now they will take over.
“I want to be creative, I want to be passionate. I want to enjoy football and hope everyone loves it. Everyone works so hard inside and outside the club to be the best version of myself and these guys, everyone we see on the screen, these guys are in front of me, I am better in front of me than before.
Salute to King Kev pic.twitter.com/j3gydslxia
– Manchester City (@Mancity) May 20, 2025
“This team is trying to entertain people and win. This team works very hard behind the scenes and on the court. This team will win in the future and no matter what, no matter me, everyone in the city, supporters, will be like they have done with me over the past 10 years. This team will surely be successful.
“You just want to do it well and win, and then when you win, you want to win more. You want to push the city, we did five/six parades, which is incredible and witnessed everything around the city. It’s so honored to have so many moments with these teammates. It’s a pleasure.”
Throughout the evening, fans who had his name all night among fans, De Bruen added: “They have been very popular from the start. There is almost a full stadium to support my family and I can have 50,00 people waiting for you to say “Goodbye?” “, this is visible, thank you very much.”
Earlier in the day, De Bruin’s mosaic was unveiled at the City Football Academy, but it was revealed that the De Bruin statue would also be a tribute to the indelible trademark he left behind.
We will honor @kevindebruyneThe club has been incredible service by commissioning a special statue to celebrate the midfielder’s grand Etihad career.
– Manchester City (@Mancity) May 20, 2025
“That means I will always be part of this club,” De Bruin said of the honor.
“I always represent a small part of it, and whenever I come back with these guys, my family and friends can see myself standing around the stadium. I will be here forever.
“I think the best way to describe my life with my wife and three kids is that we are perfect for us. We understand the arrival of the club and why the club means a lot to a lot to a lot of people.
“We have built a huge future for you together and the club can show how the club performs. I know it’s been a tough year for us, but I think the team deserves all the support you have.
“I know they’re really working hard and the team will come back next year to fight for all the titles, so it deserves it.
“I think it’s time for me to say goodbye in ten years. I’ll be back, but we love you and will see you soon.”
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