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Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne
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Kevin De Bruyne (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈkɛvɪn də ˈbrœynə]; born 28 June 1991) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Napoli and the Belgium national team.[5] Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation and one of the best players in Premier League history, De Bruyne has been described as a "complete" footballer.[6][7][8] He is tied with Ferenc Puskás as the all-time leading European assist provider in international football (53).

Key Information

After spending most of his youth career at Gent, De Bruyne began his professional senior career at Genk, where he was a regular player when they won the 2010–11 Belgian Pro League. In 2012, he joined English club Chelsea, where he was used sparingly and then loaned to Werder Bremen. He signed with VfL Wolfsburg for £18 million in 2014, establishing himself as one of the best players in the Bundesliga and was integral in the club's 2014–15 DFB-Pokal win. In the summer of 2015, De Bruyne joined Manchester City for a then-club record £54 million. Making 422 appearances for the club, he won the UEFA Champions League, six Premier League titles, five League Cups, and two FA Cups. In 2017–18, he had a significant role in City becoming the only Premier League team to attain 100 points in a single league season. In 2019–20, De Bruyne equalled the record for most assists in a Premier League season and was named Player of the Season, the award he won for the second time in 2021–22. He was again heavily involved in 2022–23, as Manchester City sealed the continental treble in their most successful season to date.

De Bruyne made his full international debut in 2010, and he has since earned over 110 caps, scoring 36 goals for Belgium. He was a member of the Belgian squads that reached the quarter-finals at both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016. De Bruyne was named in the Fan Dream Team of the 2018 World Cup, as Belgium finished in third place, as well as appearing at Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

De Bruyne has been named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season and IFFHS Men's World Team six times each, ESM Team of the Year and the FIFA FIFPRO World 11 five times each, the UEFA Team of the Year three times, and the France Football World XI and the Bundesliga Team of the Year once each. He has also won the Premier League Playmaker of the Season three times, the PFA Players' Player of the Year twice, Manchester City's Player of the Year four times, the UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season, the Bundesliga Player of the Year, the Footballer of the Year (Germany), the Belgian Sportsman of the Year and the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker three times each. He was nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award several times, ending third in the 2022 edition,[9] and fourth in 2023.[10]

Club career

[edit]

Genk

[edit]

De Bruyne began his career with hometown club KVV Drongen in 1997. Two years later, he joined KAA Gent under the guidance of coaches Jan Troos and Charly Musonda. They focused on his technique: basics, passing, shooting, dribbling. Later in an interview De Bruyne mentioned that their individual coaching had a great impact on his development.[11] In 2005 he moved to Genk, where De Bruyne continued his development in their youth set-up and was rewarded for his progress by being promoted to the first team squad in 2008. From an Interview with his youth club KAA Gent, it was revealed that De Bruyne was a Liverpool fan and an admirer of Michael Owen.[12]

De Bruyne made his first team debut for Genk in a 3–0 defeat at Charleroi on 9 May 2009.[13] Having established himself in the team the following season,[14] on 7 February 2010, De Bruyne scored his first goal for the club, which secured all three points for Genk in a 1–0 win against Standard Liège.[15] He scored five goals and made 16 assists in 32 league matches during the 2010–11 season as Genk were crowned Belgian champions for the third time.[16] On 29 October 2011, De Bruyne scored his first hat-trick for Genk against Club Brugge, which ended in a 5–4 win for Genk.[17] On 28 January 2012, De Bruyne scored a brace against OH Leuven in a 5–0 win. On 18 February 2012, De Bruyne scored his first goal back at Genk following his agreed transfer to Chelsea and also assisted the other goal in a 1–2 away win against Mons. De Bruyne ended the season by wrapping up the scoring in a 3–1 victory over Gent. He finished the league campaign with eight goals from 28 appearances.

Chelsea

[edit]
De Bruyne warming up with Chelsea in 2013

On 31 January 2012, on the winter transfer deadline day, Premier League club Chelsea and Genk announced the permanent signing of De Bruyne, with the fee rumoured to be in the region of £7 million.[18] He signed a five-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge, but would stay at Genk for the remainder of the 2011–12 season. De Bruyne told the club website, "To come to a team like Chelsea is a dream but now I have to work hard to achieve the level that's necessary."[19][20] On 18 July 2012, De Bruyne made his debut for Chelsea in a friendly match against Major League Soccer (MLS) side Seattle Sounders FC in a 4–2 win. De Bruyne also played the first half against Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain at Yankee Stadium, New York City.

Werder Bremen (loan)

[edit]
De Bruyne during his spell with Werder Bremen in 2012

On 31 July 2012, Chelsea announced that De Bruyne was to join Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on a season-long loan deal.[21] He scored his first goal for Bremen in a 3–2 defeat to Hannover 96 on 15 September, netting from 11 yards out after being played in by Eljero Elia.[22][23] He continued his good form, scoring in Bremen's next game, a 2–2 draw with VfB Stuttgart, on 23 September.[24][25] De Bruyne got back on the score sheet on 18 November, scoring the winning goal – despite his team being down to 10 men – as Bremen came from a goal down to defeat Fortuna Düsseldorf 2–1.[26][27]

De Bruyne scored his first goal in over two months on 4 May 2013, since netting a consolation goal in Bayern Munich's 6–1 hammering of Bremen, putting his side up 2–0 at home to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim before a late brace from Sven Schipplock meant that the game finished 2–2.[28][29] He followed this up with a goal in Bremen's next match, securing a place in the Bundesliga for the next season with a 1–1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt on 11 May.[30][31]

Return to Chelsea

[edit]

After a successful loan spell in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen, De Bruyne was linked with a move to stay in Germany with either Borussia Dortmund or Bayer Leverkusen. Incoming manager José Mourinho, however, assured De Bruyne he was a part of Chelsea's plan for the future, and the player officially returned to Chelsea on 1 July 2013.[32]

De Bruyne injured a knee while scoring his first goal for Chelsea, in a pre-season friendly game against a Malaysia XI,[33] but was fit to make his competitive debut on the opening day of the 2013–14 Premier League season against Hull City, and made an assist for the first goal in a 2–0 win.[34]

Wolfsburg

[edit]

2013–14 season

[edit]

On 18 January 2014, Wolfsburg signed De Bruyne for a fee of £18 million (€22 million).[35] On 25 January 2014, he made his debut for Wolfsburg in a 3–1 home loss against Hannover 96.[36] On 12 April 2014, De Bruyne assisted 2 goals in their 4–1 home win against 1. FC Nürnberg.[37] After a week he scored his first goal for Wolfsburg in 3–1 away win against Hamburger SV.[38] He also scored in the last two matches of the Bundesliga helping his team to win against VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Mönchengladbach.

2014–15 season

[edit]
De Bruyne playing for Wolfsburg against Mainz in 2014

De Bruyne scored his first goal of the 2014–15 season on 2 October 2014, volleying in a clearance from outside the box to salvage a 1–1 draw against Lille in the Europa League.[39] In the third group match away to Krasnodar on 23 October, De Bruyne scored twice as Wolfsburg secured their first win in the competition with a 4–2 victory.[40] On 30 January 2015, he scored another brace in a 4–1 home win against Bayern Munich, their first Bundesliga defeat since April 2014.[41] On 1 March 2015, De Bruyne assisted three goals in a 5–3 win over his former club Werder Bremen.[42]

On 12 March 2015, De Bruyne scored two goals in a 3–1 first leg Europa League round of 16 victory over Internazionale.[43] On 15 March 2015, he scored one goal and assisted another two in 3–0 victory over SC Freiburg.[44]

De Bruyne ended the league season with 10 goals and 21 assists, the latter a new Bundesliga record, as Wolfsburg finished second in the Bundesliga and qualified for the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League.[45][N1] On 30 May 2015, he started and scored in the 2015 DFB-Pokal Final as Die Wölfe defeated Borussia Dortmund 3–1 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.[46]

De Bruyne ended his break-out season with 16 goals and 27 assists in all competitions,[47] and was named the 2015 Germany Footballer of the Year.[48]

2015–16 season

[edit]

De Bruyne began the season by winning the 2015 DFL-Supercup against Bayern Munich, providing the cross for Nicklas Bendtner's 89th-minute equaliser for a 1–1 draw and then scoring in the subsequent penalty shootout.[49] On 8 August 2015, he continued his good form by scoring his first goal of the season, and providing two assists in a 4–1 win at Stuttgarter Kickers in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.[50]

In August, in the midst of transfer speculation, De Bruyne said that he would not force Wolfsburg to sell him, but also said that he could not ignore interest from Manchester City, saying: "If an offer does come, I will hear about it and how much it is, but I have not yet heard anything... I would not go to England just to prove that I can play there. I do not have to go to England... If I go there it's because for me and for my family it is a good choice. That's the key for me."[51]

On 10 August, it was reported that Manchester City had made a second bid for De Bruyne worth £47 million. Wolfsburg sporting director, Klaus Allofs, said the club would fight to keep him, saying "I think some other clubs have definitely turned Kevin's head... Some huge figures are doing the rounds and I can understand why Kevin is leaving everything open."[52] On 27 August, it was reported that City had made a further bid for De Bruyne worth £58 million. Klaus Allofs said that City had made an "astonishing" wage offer to De Bruyne.[53]

Manchester City

[edit]

2015–16 season

[edit]
De Bruyne playing for Manchester City in January 2016

On 30 August 2015, Manchester City announced the arrival of De Bruyne on a six-year contract, for a reported club-record fee of £55 million (€75 million), making him the second most expensive transfer in British football history after Ángel Di María's move to Manchester United in 2014.[54][55] He made his debut for the team in the Premier League on 12 September against Crystal Palace, replacing the injured Sergio Agüero in the 25th minute.[56] On 19 September, he scored his first goal for the club against West Ham United in first half stoppage time in an eventual 2–1 loss.[57] He went on to score in a 4–1 League Cup win against Sunderland, on 22 September[58] and a 4–1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on 26 September.[59] On 3 October, he scored in the team's 6–1 win against Newcastle United.[60]

On 2 October, De Bruyne was announced as one of the players on the longlist for the prestigious FIFA Ballon d'Or award, alongside teammates Agüero and Yaya Touré.[61] Just 18 days later, on 20 October he was revealed by FIFA as one of the players on the 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or.[62] On 21 October, De Bruyne scored an injury-time winner against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League, to take City within one point of group leaders Juventus, with three games remaining.[63] On 1 December, he scored a brace in a 4–1 win over Hull City to send Manchester City through to the semi-finals of the Football League Cup.[64]

On 27 January 2016, De Bruyne scored a goal in a League Cup semi-final 3–1 victory over Everton, but sustained an injury to his right knee that would keep him out of the team for two months.[65] On 2 April, De Bruyne made his return from injury in a 4–0 win against Bournemouth at Dean Court, scoring the team's second goal in the twelfth minute.[66] Four days later, he scored the opening goal in a 2–2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg at the Parc des Princes.[67] On 12 April, De Bruyne scored the winning goal against Paris Saint-Germain, advancing Manchester City to the Champions League semi-finals, for the first time in the club's history, on an aggregate score of 3–2. Writing in The Independent, Mark Ogden said, "It was a stunning goal from the Belgian, who took a touch to control the ball before curling it beyond Kevin Trapp from the edge of the penalty area."[68] De Bruyne's next goal came on 8 May in a 2–2 draw with Arsenal, although the result left City's Champions League qualification hopes out of their own hands.[69]

2016–17 season

[edit]

"I think he is a special, outstanding player. He makes everything. Without the ball he is the first fighter, and with the ball he is clear – he sees absolutely everything."

—Pep Guardiola on 17 September 2016 describing De Bruyne after his brilliant performances for City[70]

On 10 September 2016, De Bruyne scored and assisted in the first Manchester derby of the season which City won 2–1 and was awarded the Man of the Match.[71] On 17 September, De Bruyne was awarded the Man of the Match, in a 4–0 win over Bournemouth. De Bruyne scored the first, assisted the fourth, and provided key passes on both the second and third goals.[72] After the international break, Manchester City drew their next game, against Everton, played on 15 October with the scoreline finishing at 1–1. Agüero and De Bruyne both missed their penalties while Nolito came off the bench to equalise for City.[73]

On 1 November 2016, De Bruyne scored from a free kick in the team's 3–1 win over FC Barcelona.[74] On 21 January 2017, De Bruyne was involved in both of City's goals, as he netted once himself and also assisted Leroy Sané's, in a 2–2 home draw with Tottenham Hotspur; he was subsequently named man of the match.[75] On 19 March, De Bruyne displayed an excellent performance in a 1–1 draw against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, where he set up a goal for Agüero.[76]

2017–18 season

[edit]
De Bruyne during a pre-season training session in 2017

De Bruyne set up both Agüero's and Gabriel Jesus' goals, on 9 September 2017, in a 5–0 home victory over Liverpool.[77] On 16 September, De Bruyne assisted Agüero for his first goal in an eventual 6–0 win over Watford.[78] On 26 September, De Bruyne scored his first goal of the 2017–18 season in a 2–0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.[79] On 30 September, he scored his first goal of the 2017–18 Premier League season, as City beat his former club Chelsea with a 1–0 scoreline at Stamford Bridge.[80] On 14 October, De Bruyne provided two assists in a 7–2 win over Stoke City.[81] On 5 November, De Bruyne scored in a 3–1 win over Arsenal.[82] On 18 November, he scored in a 2–0 away win over Leicester City.[83] On 29 November, he scored City's opener and assisted Raheem Sterling's last-minute winner in a 2–1 win over Southampton.[84]

On 13 December 2017, De Bruyne scored in a 4–0 away win over Swansea City, which extended their record run of consecutive top-flight wins to 15 games.[85][86] On 16 December, he scored in a 4–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, with Pep Guardiola saying that De Bruyne is "helping the club become a better institution".[87][88] On 27 December, De Bruyne provided an assist for Sterling's goal in a 1–0 win over Newcastle United.[89] On 9 January, De Bruyne scored in a 2–1 win over Bristol City in the first leg of the semi-finals of the EFL Cup.[90] On 20 January, he provided an assist for Agüero's first goal of the game (who scored a hat-trick in the game), in a 3–1 win over Newcastle United.[91][92]

De Bruyne during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, on 10 December 2017, which City won 2–1

On 22 January 2018, De Bruyne signed a new long-term contract with the club, keeping him at the club until 2023.[93][94] On 23 January, he scored the winning goal in a 3–2 win over Bristol City in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg, which helped City advance to the final, having won the tie by an aggregate scoreline of 5–3.[94] On 31 January, he scored and assisted in a 3–0 win over West Bromwich Albion, and was voted BBC Man of the Match.[94][95] On 10 February, he provided three assists, two for Agüero and one for Raheem Sterling, in a 5–1 win over Leicester City, taking his assists tally to 14.[96][97] On 25 February, he started in the 2018 EFL Cup Final against Arsenal, and played the whole 90 minutes, with Manchester City winning 3–0 to obtain their first piece of silverware of the 2017–18 season, and their first trophy overall under Pep Guardiola.[98]

On 31 March 2018, he provided an assist for Gabriel Jesus in a 3–1 win over Everton, ensuring that City would require only one more win to secure the Premier League title.[99][100] On 22 April, he scored in a 5–0 win over Swansea City.[101] On 13 May, on the final day of the season, De Bruyne assisted Gabriel Jesus' winning goal in a 1–0 win over Southampton, which took champions City's total points tally to 100. De Bruyne was also voted as BBC Man of the Match.[102][103] For his 16 assists registered across the league season, De Bruyne won the inaugural Premier League Playmaker of the Season award.[104] He was also selected in the PFA Team of the Year, and was also voted as Manchester City Player of the Season.[105][106][107]

2018–19 season

[edit]

On 15 August 2018, De Bruyne suffered a knee injury during a training session, with several news websites reporting that he could potentially not play for up to three months.[108] Two days later, Manchester City confirmed that he had suffered a lesion of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, with no surgery required, and that he was expected to not play for three months.[109][110][111] Soon after De Bruyne returned to action in October 2018, he once again suffered a knee ligament injury in the fourth round of the EFL Cup against Fulham. The injury was expected to keep him out for 5–6 weeks[112] but he resumed full training much earlier than expected after only 3 weeks out.[113] He came on as substitute in the FA Cup final against Watford, scoring the third goal and assisting two more, as City won the first-ever domestic treble in English men's football.[114][115] His performances meant he was named Man of the Match.[115]

2019–20 season

[edit]

On 30 November 2019, De Bruyne scored a half-volley in a 2–2 draw against Newcastle in the league, that strike was later voted as Premier League Goal of the Month for November.[116][117] On 15 December, he scored a brace in a 3–0 Premier League win over Arsenal at the Emirates.[118]

De Bruyne scored his 50th City goal in all competitions on 26 February 2020 in their 2–1 victory, coming from behind, over Real Madrid in their Champions League Round of 16 clash.[119]

In the final Premier League match of the season, City beat Norwich City 5–0 at home. De Bruyne scored two goals and registered his 20th league assist, which equalled Thierry Henry's record for the most assists in a season, and also won his second Playmaker of the Season award.[120][121] In addition he became the first player in history to reach 20 assists in a single season in two of Europe's top five leagues.[122] His long range curler in that game also won him Premier League Goal of the Month for the second time in the season.[123]

At the end of the season he was awarded the Premier League Player of the Season after scoring 13 goals, providing 20 assists and creating 104 chances from open play, the most for a player in any of Europe's top five leagues since 2006.[124][125]

He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year and won the PFA Player of the Year award, becoming the first ever Manchester City player to win it.[126]

2020–21 season

[edit]
De Bruyne on the ball for Manchester City in the Champions League against RB Leipzig in 2021

On 21 September 2020, De Bruyne scored and assisted in a 3–1 away win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in City's first game of the season.[127] With the crucial visit of the Premier League champions, Liverpool, De Bruyne assisted Gabriel Jesus' equaliser before winning a penalty, which he subsequently fired wide. The game ended in a 1–1 draw.[128] On 7 April, De Bruyne signed a four-year contract,[129] after negotiating it with help of statistical data to make case for a 30% pay increase.[130]

On 25 April 2021, De Bruyne's free-kick was headed into the goal by Aymeric Laporte, allowing City to win 1–0 against Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.[131] On 28 April, he scored a goal in a 2–1 away win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals.[132] On 29 May, De Bruyne had a head injury after colliding with Antonio Rüdiger in the second half of the Champions League Final, to be substituted by Gabriel Jesus; however, his team lost 1–0 against his former club Chelsea.[133] Medical scans after the game revealed De Bruyne to have suffered acute nose bone and left orbital fractures, placing doubt on his participation in the rescheduled UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.[134]

At the end of the season, Kevin was awarded with the PFA Player's Player of the Year award.[135]

2021–22 season

[edit]

On 26 April 2022, De Bruyne scored the fastest Champions League semi-final goal after 93 seconds in a 4–3 win over Real Madrid in the first leg.[136] On 11 May, he scored four goals inside 24 minutes in City's 5–1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, his first hat-trick with the club and the third-quickest in Premier League history.[137][138] Sky Sports commentator Andy Hinchcliffe described the feat as "Twenty-three minutes of footballing genius" and Jeremy Wilson, writing in The Daily Telegraph, said "De Bruyne's 'wrong-footed' hat-trick was one of the best displays in Premier League history".[139]

De Bruyne was again bestowed with the Premier League Player of the Season award, becoming the fourth player to win the award more than once.[140][141] He also went on to win Manchester City's Player of the Year award for the fourth time. As a result, he tied Richard Dunne for the most player of the year awards at the club.[142] In addition, he ended the season as the club's top scorer in the Premier League with 15 goals, which was also his personal best record.[143]

2022–23 season

[edit]

On 26 April 2023, De Bruyne scored a brace and provided an assist in a 4–1 win over Arsenal, which reduced their rival's lead at the league table to two points, with his team had two games in hand.[144] On 9 May, he scored the equaliser for his club in a 1–1 away draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals first leg,[145] in which he managed to score in the same round for the third consecutive year.[146]

On 10 June, he played only 36 minutes in his second Champions League final, as he suffered a hamstring injury and was replaced by Phil Foden.[147] However, Manchester City eventually won 1–0 against Inter Milan, which completed their continental treble.[148]

After the season, De Bruyne was nominated for UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award along with Lionel Messi and Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland.[149]

2023–24 season

[edit]

De Bruyne started the 2023–24 season coming on as a substitute in the 2023 FA Community Shield against Arsenal on 6 August , missing a penalty as the Gunners won the shoot-out 4–1.[150] On 11 August, he suffered a reoccurrence of a hamstring injury in the opening league game of the season against Burnley, it was later confirmed he would be out for four to five months.[151] He made his return from injury on 7 January 2024, providing an assist in a 5–0 win over Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup third round.[152] On 13 January, he came off the bench, scoring his first goal of the season and assisting another in a 3–2 comeback away victory over Newcastle United.[153]

On 6 April 2024, De Bruyne scored his 100th goal for Manchester City in a 4–2 win at Crystal Palace.[154] On 17 April, he scored a goal in a 1–1 draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg, levelling the aggregate score at 4–4; however, his club lost 4–3 in the penalty shootout.[155] On 19 May, he achieved his 6th Premier League title with the club on the final matchday of the season.[156]

2024–25 season

[edit]

"There’s no doubt that Kevin De Bruyne is one of the greatest players in the history of the Premier League"

—Pep Guardiola on 4 April 2025, after the announcement that De Bruyne would leave Manchester City[157]

On 4 April 2025, De Bruyne announced that he would leave Manchester City upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2024–25 season.[158] On 17 May, De Bruyne had the opportunity to win his 20th and final trophy with Manchester City, but the club's campaign in the FA Cup ended in defeat in the final, which City lost 1–0 to Crystal Palace.[159] In his final home game three days later, "King Kev" was extensively honored, including with a temporary mural.[160][161]

With 16 major trophies, the 33-year-old De Bruyne left Manchester City as one of the most decorated players in the club's history.[162]

Napoli

[edit]

On 12 June 2025, Serie A club Napoli announced the signing of De Bruyne on a free transfer.[163][164] On 23 August, he netted his first goal on his league debut in a 2–0 away win over Sassuolo.[165] On 13 September, he scored again during a 3–1 away win over Fiorentina.[166]

International career

[edit]
De Bruyne (right) lining up for Belgium in 2013, alongside Vincent Kompany and Simon Mignolet

De Bruyne represented Belgium at under-18, under-19, and under-21 levels. He made his senior team debut on 11 August 2010 in an international friendly match against Finland in Turku; the game ended in a 1–0 loss for Belgium.[167]

Before making his full debut for Belgium's senior side, De Bruyne was eligible to play for Burundi, his mother's birthplace.[168]

De Bruyne became a regular member of Belgium's team during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, where he scored four goals as the Red Devils qualified for their first major tournament in 12 years.[169]

2014–2016: First World Cup and Euro appearances

[edit]
De Bruyne playing for Belgium against Algeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

On 13 May 2014, De Bruyne was named in Belgium's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[170] In their first game of the tournament, against Algeria in Belo Horizonte, De Bruyne assisted Marouane Fellaini's equaliser[171] and was named man of the match by FIFA.[172] In the round of 16, De Bruyne scored Belgium's opening goal in the third minute of extra time as they defeated the United States 2–1.[173] They were subsequently eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup after losing 1–0 to Argentina in the quarter-finals.[174]

On 10 October 2014, De Bruyne scored twice in a 6–0 rout of Andorra in UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying, equalling the team's record victory in a European qualifier set in 1986.[175][176] On 3 September 2015, De Bruyne scored in a 3–1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.[177] On 10 October 2015, De Bruyne scored in a 4–1 victory against Andorra, which secured Belgium's place at the UEFA Euro 2016 finals.[178][179] Three days later, he scored in a 3–1 win over Israel, securing Belgium top-spot in the group.[180] On 31 May 2016, De Bruyne was selected for Belgium's final 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016.[181][non-primary source needed][unreliable source?] On 18 June 2016, De Bruyne was praised for his performance in Belgium's 3–0 win over the Republic of Ireland.[182] On 26 June 2016, De Bruyne was voted BBC Man of the Match for his performance in a 4–0 win over Hungary in the round of 16, where he provided two assists.[183]

2016–2018: 2018 World Cup

[edit]
De Bruyne celebrating Belgium's 2–1 win over Brazil at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

De Bruyne was selected for Belgium's final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[184] On 18 June, in the opening game against debutants Panama, De Bruyne provided an assist for Romelu Lukaku in an eventual 3–0 victory.[185][186] On 6 July, he scored the second goal of the match in a 2–1 quarter-final victory over Brazil and was named the man of the match.[187] In the semi-finals, Belgium were defeated 1–0 by eventual champions France.[188] On 14 July, Belgium defeated England 2–0 in the third-place play-off.[189]

2018–2022: Euro 2020 and 2022 World Cup

[edit]
De Bruyne playing for Belgium against Canada at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

On 17 June 2021, De Bruyne scored his first and the winning goal in Belgium's second match of UEFA Euro 2020, a 2–1 victory over Denmark,[190] having earlier in the game assisted the team's first goal.[191] During the round of 16 clash with Portugal, De Bruyne suffered an ankle injury from a tackle from behind, by Portugal's Joao Palhinha. On 2 July Belgium manager Roberto Martinez said that De Bruyne could recover in time for the quarter-final match, later that day, despite not training all week[192][193] and he was later confirmed in the starting line-up.[194]

De Bruyne started all three games in the 2022 FIFA World Cup as Belgium were eliminated in the group stage.[195][196][197]

2022–present: Assuming the captaincy

[edit]

On 21 March 2023, De Bruyne was announced as Belgium's new captain, following the international retirement of Eden Hazard.[198] A week later, he led Belgium to beat Germany in a friendly match for the first time since 1954, by scoring a goal and providing two assists in a 3–2 away win.[199] On 28 May 2024, he was selected in the Belgian squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.[200] A few days later, on 5 June, he earned his 100th international cap, in which he also scored a goal, in a 2–0 friendly victory over Montenegro prior to the tournament.[201]

On 3 September 2025, manager Rudi Garcia - after previously rotating the captaincy around members of the squad - announced that Youri Tielemans would be Belgium's new captain, succeeding De Bruyne in the role.[202]

Player profile

[edit]

Style of play

[edit]

A versatile and highly talented player in the media, he plays mainly as an attacking or a central midfielder but can also operate in several other positions and has been used as a winger or second striker. He has even been deployed in a deeper creative midfield position and on occasion, a box-to-box role or as a false 9. He is often described by pundits as one of the best and most complete modern day advanced playmakers due to his technique, skill, athleticism, work-rate off the ball, vision, crossing accuracy, wide range of passing, and powerful long-range shooting ability with either foot.[203][204][205][206][207][208][209][210]

Although he is not blessed with significant physical strength, pace, or ability in the air,[211] he is a quick and elegant player on the ball with good dribbling skills, while his positional sense, tactical intelligence, movement, direct style of play and ability to run at defences when in possession also enable him to take advantage of spaces in the opposition's defence and subsequently create chances and goalscoring opportunities for himself or his team-mates, making him a dangerous offensive threat on counter-attacks.[211][212][213][214] In addition to his creative abilities,[211] he is also capable of scoring goals by making late runs off the ball from behind into the penalty area[215] and is an accurate set-piece taker.[211][216]

Reception

[edit]

At his peak, De Bruyne was widely regarded as one of the best players in the world,[217][218][219][220][221] and he has often been described as a "complete" footballer.[222][223][224] A number of sources have described him as one of the Premier League's best ever players.[8][225][226][227]

De Bruyne was ranked the fourth-best footballer in the world by The Guardian in 2017[228] and the twelfth-best in 2019.[229] In 2020, his Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described him as the best midfielder in the world.[230] As City chased The Treble in the 2022–23 season with De Bruyne playing a leading role, Jamie Redknapp said that De Bruyne was the best Premier League midfielder he had seen, ranking him above the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.[231]

Personal life

[edit]
De Bruyne in 2012

Family and relationships

[edit]

De Bruyne's mother is Belgian.[232] She was born in Burundi and has also lived in the Ivory Coast.[233] She grew up in London, after her Flemish parents moved to England for work reasons. Only when she met Kevin's father, Herwig, did she return to Belgium.[232]

De Bruyne's parents settled in Drongen, a sub-municipality of the city of Ghent, in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium.[234][235] Aside from Dutch, his mother tongue, De Bruyne also speaks English, French and German.[236][237]

As a child, De Bruyne and his parents regularly visited his grandparents in London. At the time of his move to Chelsea in 2012, De Bruyne stated: "We used to go every year at Christmas and during school holidays. It's my second home."[238]

De Bruyne has been in a relationship with Michèle Lacroix since 2014.[239] The couple married in June 2017[240] and have three children together.[241]

De Bruyne's autobiography, titled Keep It Simple, was published by Borgerhoff & Lamberigts in October 2014,[242] following an incident between De Bruyne and his compatriot, footballer Thibaut Courtois, in which De Bruyne's then-girlfriend left him for Courtois. De Bruyne wrote in his autobiography, "Although I still cannot believe what Courtois has done, we continue to work together professionally."[243]

Philanthropy

[edit]

De Bruyne was an ambassador for the 2014 Special Olympics, which took place in Antwerp, and was involved in a controversial advertisement campaign via his personal Instagram account. Employing the slogan (in Dutch): "Would you still be my fan if I looked like this?", De Bruyne was depicted resembling a person with Down's syndrome.[244]

Since 2016 the Kevin De Bruyne Cup, an international youth football tournament, has been organised in Drongen, Belgium.[245]

De Bruyne was chosen by UEFA as ambassador for 2018. He presented a check worth 100,000 euros to the International Committee of the Red Cross.[246]

In 2019, De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku handed out shoes to needy children in regional hospitals for a special campaign 'Kicks for Kids' organised by Roc Nation Sports.[247]

De Bruyne has also been involved in other charitable initiatives, including the "Common Goal" campaign, which encourages professional footballers to donate 1% of their wages to support various global social causes. In addition, he has donated money to support cancer research and has been involved in charity matches to raise money for various causes.[248]

In 2023, De Bruyne and his wife were named as ‘godparents’ of the Ronald McDonald Children's Fund, which ensures that parents with hospitalised children will be able to stay nearby.[249]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 21 October 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Genk 2008–09[250] Belgian First Division 2 0 0 0 — — — 2 0
2009–10[250] Belgian Pro League 35 3 2 0 — 2[c] 0 1[d] 0 40 3
2010–11[250] Belgian Pro League 32 5 0 0 — 3[c] 1 0 0 35 6
2011–12[250] Belgian Pro League 28 8 1 0 — 6[e] 0 1[d] 0 36 8
Total 97 16 3 0 — 11 1 2 0 113 17
Chelsea 2012–13[250] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2013–14[250] Premier League 3 0 0 0 3 0 3[e] 0 — 9 0
Total 3 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 9 0
Werder Bremen (loan) 2012–13[251] Bundesliga 33 10 1 0 — — — 34 10
VfL Wolfsburg 2013–14[252] Bundesliga 16 3 2 0 — — — 18 3
2014–15[253] Bundesliga 34 10 6 1 — 11[c] 5 — 51 16
2015–16[254] Bundesliga 2 0 1 1 — — 1[f] 0 4 1
Total 52 13 9 2 — 11 5 1 0 73 20
Manchester City 2015–16[254] Premier League 25 7 1 1 5 5 10[e] 3 — 41 16
2016–17[255] Premier League 36 6 5 0 1 0 7[e] 1 — 49 7
2017–18[256] Premier League 37 8 3 1 4 2 8[e] 1 — 52 12
2018–19[257] Premier League 19 2 4 2 5 2 4[e] 0 0 0 32 6
2019–20[258] Premier League 35 13 2 1 3 0 7[e] 2 1[g] 0 48 16
2020–21[259] Premier League 25 6 3 1 4 0 8[e] 3 — 40 10
2021–22[260] Premier League 30 15 3 1 2 1 10[e] 2 0 0 44 19
2022–23[261] Premier League 32 7 4 1 2 0 10[e] 2 1[g] 0 49 10
2023–24[262] Premier League 18 4 5 0 0 0 2[e] 2 1[g] 0 26 6
2024–25[263] Premier League 28 4 4 2 0 0 7[e] 0 1[g] 0 40 6
Total 285 72 34 10 26 10 73 16 4 0 422 108
Napoli 2025–26[264] Serie A 7 3 0 0 — 3[e] 0 0 0 10 3
Career total 477 114 47 12 29 10 101 22 7 0 661 158
  1. ^ Includes Belgian Cup, DFB-Pokal, FA Cup, Coppa Italia
  2. ^ Includes Football League Cup/EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ a b Appearance in Belgian Super Cup
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Appearance in DFL-Supercup
  7. ^ a b c d Appearance in FA Community Shield

International

[edit]
As of match played 13 October 2025[14]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Belgium[N2] 2010 1 0
2011 1 0
2012 6 1
2013 11 3
2014 11 4
2015 8 4
2016 12 1
2017 8 0
2018 10 2
2019 6 4
2020 4 1
2021 10 3
2022 9 2
2023 2 1
2024 8 4
2025 8 6
Total 115 36
As of match played 13 October 2025
Belgium score listed first, score column indicates score after each De Bruyne goal[14][265]
List of international goals scored by Kevin De Bruyne
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 12 October 2012 Stadium Crvena Zvezda, Belgrade, Serbia 6  Serbia 2–0 3–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 22 March 2013 Philip II Arena, Skopje, Macedonia 10  Macedonia 1–0 2–0
3 7 June 2013 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 13  Serbia 1–0 2–1
4 15 October 2013 17  Wales 1–0 1–1
5 26 May 2014 Cristal Arena, Genk, Belgium 21  Luxembourg 5–1 5–1 Friendly
6 1 July 2014 Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil 25  United States 1–0 2–1 2014 FIFA World Cup
7 10 October 2014 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 28  Andorra 1–0 6–0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
8 2–0
9 3 September 2015 34  Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–1 3–1
10 10 October 2015 Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella, Andorra 36  Andorra 2–0 4–1
11 13 October 2015 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 37  Israel 2–0 3–1
12 13 November 2015 38  Italy 2–1 3–1 Friendly
13 28 May 2016 Stade de Genève, Lancy, Switzerland 39   Switzerland 2–1 2–1
14 27 March 2018 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 59  Saudi Arabia 4–0 4–0
15 6 July 2018 Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia 66  Brazil 2–0 2–1 2018 FIFA World Cup
16 11 June 2019 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 70  Scotland 3–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
17 9 September 2019 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 72  Scotland 4–0 4–0
18 19 November 2019 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 74  Cyprus 2–1 6–1
19 3–1
20 18 November 2020 Den Dreef, Leuven, Belgium 78  Denmark 4–2 4–2 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A
21 24 March 2021 79  Wales 1–1 3–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
22 17 June 2021 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 81  Denmark 2–1 2–1 UEFA Euro 2020
23 16 November 2021 Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales 88  Wales 1–0 1–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
24 8 June 2022 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 90  Poland 2–1 6–1 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A
25 22 September 2022 92  Wales 1–0 2–1
26 28 March 2023 RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, Germany 99  Germany 3–1 3–2 Friendly
27 5 June 2024 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 100  Montenegro 1–0 2–0
28 22 June 2024 RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, Germany 103  Romania 2–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2024
29 6 September 2024 Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen, Hungary 106  Israel 1–0 3–1 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A
30 3–1
31 9 June 2025 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 111  Wales 4–3 4–3 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
32 4 September 2025 Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein 112  Liechtenstein 4–0 6–0
33 7 September 2025 Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Brussels, Belgium 113 Kazakhstan 1–0 6–0
34 5–0
35 13 October 2025 Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales 115 Wales 1–1 4–2
36 3–1

Honours

[edit]

Genk

VfL Wolfsburg

Manchester City

Belgium

Individual

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kevin De Bruyne

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kevin De Bruyne is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Serie A club Napoli and captains the Belgium national team. He is currently sidelined by injury, with a return expected in early 2026. Born on 28 June 1991 in Drongen, Belgium, he stands at 1.81 meters tall and is right-footed, known for his exceptional vision, precise passing, and long-range shooting ability, establishing him as one of the premier midfielders of his generation. De Bruyne began his professional career at Genk, making his senior debut at age 17 in 2008 before joining Chelsea in January 2012 for an undisclosed fee. During his time at Chelsea, he was loaned to Werder Bremen for the 2012–13 season, where he scored 10 goals and provided 9 assists in 33 appearances, marking his breakthrough in senior football. He then transferred to VfL Wolfsburg in January 2014 on a five-and-a-half-year contract, helping the club finish second in the Bundesliga in 2015 and earning the German Footballer of the Year award that year. In August 2015, De Bruyne signed a six-year deal with Manchester City for a club-record €76 million, becoming Belgium's most expensive export at the time, and quickly established himself as a key playmaker under manager Pep Guardiola. Over his 10-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium, he made 422 appearances, scoring 108 goals and recording 177 assists, contributing to 19 major trophies including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five EFL Cups, three FA Community Shields, one UEFA Champions League (2022–23), one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup. His individual accolades with City include two PFA Players' Player of the Year awards (2019–20, 2020–21), four Manchester City Player of the Season honors, and five Premier League Playmaker of the Season awards for leading the league in assists. In the Premier League specifically, he amassed 288 appearances, 72 goals, and 119 assists. De Bruyne's international career with began with his debut on 11 August 2010 in a friendly against , and as of November 2025, he has earned 115 caps and scored 36 goals, surpassing many teammates in experience. As a central figure in Belgium's "," he scored a long-range strike in the quarter-final against and two penalties in a 2025 World Cup qualifier against . achieved third place at the 2018 World Cup under his influence, reached the quarter-finals at (where he provided three assists), and advanced to the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup, though they exited in the group stage at EURO 2024. Seeking a new challenge at age 34, De Bruyne left Manchester City as a free agent in 2025 and joined Napoli on 12 June 2025, one of the most prominent transfers in Serie A history over the past two decades, where he wears the No. 11 shirt and has already contributed in World Cup qualifying for Belgium, who top their group as of November 2025. His career totals reflect a legacy of creativity, with over 300 direct goal involvements in top-flight leagues and consistent recognition in teams of the year, including multiple FIFA FIFPro World XI selections and UEFA Team of the Year inclusions.

Early life and youth career

Early life

Kevin De Bruyne was born on 28 June 1991 in , a suburb of in the province of . His mother, Anna De Bruyne, was born in and later managed family oil businesses in and the , while his father, Herwig De Bruyne, is a Belgian businessman with a strong passion for football. The family settled in in 1993 after time in , the , and due to the oil business. De Bruyne has one younger sister, Stefanie, and his parents provided a supportive home with a garden that served as an early play area. From a young age, De Bruyne displayed a keen interest in football, often requesting a as his only toy, as recalled by his father Herwig, who served as a mentor and encouraged his son's development in the sport. He attended local schools in the region, balancing education with his growing enthusiasm for the game. De Bruyne's early non-professional football experiences began around age six, when he joined the amateur club KVV Drongen in his hometown, playing in local youth tournaments and honing his ambidextrous skills on both feet.

Youth career

De Bruyne began his organized youth football at local club VV Drongen before joining the Gent academy in 1999 at the age of eight, where he spent the next six years developing his skills. At Gent, he displayed early promise as a but clashed with coaching styles that emphasized discipline over creativity, leading to a challenging period marked by his stubborn personality. His youth coach at Gent, Frank De Leyn, later recalled De Bruyne's determination, noting, "He was stubborn as hell, like a , but I also think that it is that stubbornness... that has made him the player he is now." In 2005, at age 14, De Bruyne left Gent for rivals 's academy, attracted by their more attacking and possession-based approach that better suited his playing style. At , he rapidly progressed, often playing in higher age groups and honing his role as an attacking known for precise passing and vision. By 2007, at age 16, he had integrated into the club's setup, participating in first-team training sessions that accelerated his technical growth. De Bruyne made his first appearances for Genk's reserves in 2008 at age 17, showcasing standout performances that highlighted his potential, including key crosses and assists in matches alongside emerging talents like Christian Benteke. These reserve outings, where he contributed to several goals through his playmaking, paved the way for his breakthrough to the senior squad, demonstrating his ability to dictate play from midfield in competitive settings. No youth loans or trials were recorded during this period, as his development remained focused within Genk's academy structure.

Club career

Genk (2008–2012)

De Bruyne made his professional debut for on 9 May 2009, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 league defeat to . He scored his first professional goal for the club on 7 February 2010, securing a 1–0 victory over in the . In the 2009–10 season, De Bruyne established himself in the first team, making 31 league appearances, scoring 2 goals, and providing 3 assists as finished seventh in the . His breakthrough came during the 2010–11 campaign, where he featured in 32 league matches, netting 5 goals and recording 11 assists, playing a pivotal role in 's title-winning season—their third championship. This performance highlighted his emerging vision and creativity in midfield, contributing significantly to the team's success. De Bruyne's form continued to elevate in the –12 season, with 8 goals and 11 assists in 28 league appearances. A standout moment was on 29 2011, when he scored his first professional in a thrilling league victory over rivals Club Brugge, demonstrating his clinical finishing and composure under pressure. These performances solidified his reputation as one of Belgium's most promising talents, drawing attention from European clubs. Over his time at from 2008 to 2012, De Bruyne made 113 appearances across all competitions, scoring 17 goals and providing 36 assists.

Chelsea (2012–2014)

De Bruyne joined Chelsea from Genk in January 2012 for a reported fee of £6.7 million, signing a five-and-a-half-year contract. He was immediately loaned back to his former club for the remainder of the 2011–12 season to continue his development. Upon returning to Chelsea in the summer of 2012, De Bruyne experienced limited playing time under successive managers André Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo, and Rafael Benítez during the 2012–13 season. He featured in just three cup ties before being sent on loan to Werder Bremen in August 2012, with no league appearances that year. In the 2013–14 season, following his loan return, De Bruyne made six Premier League appearances under José Mourinho, bringing his total league games for Chelsea to nine across both seasons, with one assist. He also appeared in three League Cup matches and three Champions League group stage games, often as a substitute. Despite brief moments of promise, such as his substitute appearance and assist for in the 6–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 25 September 2012, De Bruyne grew frustrated with the lack of trust from management and limited opportunities. This led to him requesting a loan move in late 2013 to gain regular playing time, though he ultimately departed permanently for in January 2014. De Bruyne later cited the low transfer fee as contributing to his marginalization, noting Mourinho provided no explanation for his bench role despite initial chances.

Werder Bremen (loan, 2012–2013)

On 31 July 2012, Chelsea agreed to loan Kevin De Bruyne to Werder Bremen for the season, providing the 21-year-old Belgian with regular first-team opportunities after limited playing time at Stamford Bridge. The move allowed De Bruyne to adapt to the physical and tactical demands of German football under manager Thomas Schaaf, who praised the youngster's vision and technical ability, granting him creative freedom in midfield to showcase his passing range and long-range shooting. Despite initial cultural adjustments—De Bruyne once described Germans as "stiff" in an interview, though he quickly clarified his growing comfort with the league's intensity—he integrated effectively, starting in most matches and contributing to Bremen's survival efforts in a challenging season. De Bruyne's impact was immediate and sustained, as he made 33 appearances in the Bundesliga, scoring 10 goals and providing 9 assists. His performances highlighted his versatility, often operating as an attacking midfielder or on the right wing, where his precise crosses and set-piece delivery proved vital. Key highlights included a brace in a 4–1 away victory over VfB Stuttgart in February 2013, which helped Bremen secure crucial points in their relegation battle, and two assists in a 2–0 win against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in December 2012. Another standout moment came on the final day against 1. FC Nürnberg in May 2013, where his two goals in a 3–2 defeat for Bremen nonetheless demonstrated his clinical finishing under pressure. These contributions earned him the Bundesliga Young Player of the Year award, recognizing his emergence as one of the league's most promising talents. Schaaf's faith in De Bruyne was evident, with the coach publicly expressing a desire to retain him beyond the loan, stating it would be "kind of stupid" not to pursue a permanent deal given his influence on the team's attack. De Bruyne reciprocated the support, later crediting the Bremen staff for elevating his game to a new level through consistent minutes and tactical trust. However, with the loan set to expire on 30 June 2013 and no option to extend, De Bruyne returned to Chelsea, having revitalized his career in .

VfL Wolfsburg (2014–2015)

De Bruyne completed a permanent transfer to from Chelsea in January 2014 for a reported fee of €22 million, marking a significant investment by the club in the young midfielder. Having gained prior experience in the during his at Werder , he integrated swiftly into the team under manager . In the latter half of the 2013–14 season, De Bruyne adapted effectively, appearing in 16 matches where he scored 3 goals and registered 6 assists, helping finish fifth and secure Europa League qualification. The 2014–15 campaign saw De Bruyne emerge as a star, delivering a career-defining performance with 10 goals and a Bundesliga-record 21 assists in 34 league appearances, propelling to a second-place finish and their first Champions League qualification in five years. Across all competitions that season, he amassed 16 goals and 27 assists in 51 games, showcasing his vision, passing accuracy, and long-range shooting. His contributions were instrumental in 's triumph, including a stunning long-range strike that opened the scoring in the 3–1 final win over on 30 May 2015. De Bruyne's exceptional form earned him the Player of the Season award in 2015, as voted by journalists. Over his 18-month stint at from January 2014 through the end of the 2014–15 season, he recorded 20 goals and 37 assists in 73 appearances across all competitions.

Manchester City (2015–2025)

Kevin De Bruyne joined Manchester City from on 30 August 2015, signing a six-year contract for a club-record fee of £55 million. This transfer marked him as one of the most expensive players in history at the time, reflecting his standout performances in the where he had recorded 10 goals and 21 assists in the previous season. De Bruyne made his debut in a 2–0 win over on 23 September 2015, quickly establishing himself as a creative force under manager . In his debut 2015–16 season, De Bruyne adapted to the , contributing 16 goals and 13 assists across 41 appearances in all competitions, helping City secure the —their first major trophy in his tenure. The following year, under new manager , he elevated his game with 7 goals and 20 assists in 49 matches during 2016–17, though City finished third in the league. By 2017–18, De Bruyne's influence peaked in domestic play, recording 12 goals and 21 assists in 52 appearances; his vision and passing were instrumental in City's record-breaking 100-point season, where they won the title by 19 points alongside the . That campaign, he earned the Player of the Season award for his pivotal role in the attack. The 2018–19 season brought challenges as De Bruyne suffered a injury in September, limiting him to 32 appearances, 4 goals, and 11 assists, yet City still achieved a domestic treble of the , , and . He returned strongly in 2019–20 despite another issue, posting 16 goals and a Premier League-record 20 assists in 48 matches, earning the PFA Players' Player of the Year award and another Player of the Season honor. This form contributed to City's second consecutive title, plus the and . De Bruyne signed a two-year contract extension in April 2021, committing to the club until 2025 and expressing his ambition to take on a role. Injuries continued to test De Bruyne's resilience; a lateral ankle tear in 2020–21 restricted him to 40 appearances, but he still managed 10 goals and 18 assists, aiding City's fourth title and another win. By 2021–22, he adapted to a more advanced hybrid role, scoring a career-high 19 goals alongside 15 assists in 45 games, though City lost the Champions League final to Chelsea. The 2022–23 season saw him deliver 10 goals and a career-best 31 assists in 49 appearances, including key contributions in the Champions League triumph over in —City's first European Cup. This victory completed a and double, with De Bruyne's long-range passing often dictating play. De Bruyne's later years showcased sustained excellence amid physical demands. In 2023–24, hamstring problems limited him to 26 appearances, 6 goals, and 18 assists, but City defended their title and added the and . His final 2024–25 season yielded 6 goals and 8 assists in 40 matches, as City secured their third consecutive title (and seventh overall) before his departure. On 4 April 2025, De Bruyne announced he would leave upon the expiration of his contract, ending a decade at the club without a new extension offer despite earlier captaincy discussions. Over 422 appearances for Manchester City, De Bruyne scored 108 goals and provided 177 assists, playing a central role in seven Premier League titles, one Champions League, five League Cups, two FA Cups, and other honors. His assist tally set multiple records, including the fastest to 100 Premier League assists (in 237 games), underscoring his evolution from promising midfielder to one of the league's greatest playmakers.

Napoli (2025–present)

In the summer of 2025, Kevin De Bruyne joined on a free transfer following the expiry of his Manchester City contract. The 34-year-old Belgian signed a two-year deal, seeking a new challenge in after a decade of success in the . His arrival bolstered Napoli's squad under manager , who had led the club to the 2024–25 , positioning De Bruyne as a key creative force in the reigning champions' title defense. De Bruyne made his competitive debut for Napoli in a pre-season friendly against on 22 July 2025, though the match ended in a 2–0 defeat. His bow came on 23 August 2025 against , where he marked the occasion by scoring Napoli's second goal in a 2–0 victory, assisting in the team's strong start to the 2025–26 campaign. By early November 2025, De Bruyne had featured in eight matches, contributing four goals while adapting to Conte's tactical demands, which emphasize disciplined positioning and quick transitions compared to his freer role at Manchester City. His integration has been gradual, with Conte noting adjustments to De Bruyne's preference for orchestrating play from deeper areas rather than frequent box runs. De Bruyne's impact has been instrumental in Napoli's early-season form, as the club topped the table with 22 points from 10 matches by November 2025, mounting a strong challenge. In the group stage, he provided two assists across three appearances, including a goalless but solid performance in Napoli's 0–0 draw against on 4 November 2025 at the . He sustained a non-contact hamstring tear during a penalty kick in a 3–1 win over on 25 October 2025, resulting from muscle overload in the hamstring amid the explosive shooting action and follow-through, associated with sudden forceful exertion; risk factors included his age of 34, prior injury history, and accumulated fatigue. The high-grade tear to the biceps femoris required surgery and ruled him out for several months, with an expected return in early 2026. In January 2026, Napoli expressed willingness to evaluate incoming offers for De Bruyne during the winter transfer window, particularly from the Saudi Pro League. De Bruyne's experience continues to be valued amid Napoli's pursuit of domestic and European success. At age 34, De Bruyne's has declined to €20 million, reflecting his advancing years and the physical demands of elite football, though his on-pitch contributions continue to underscore his enduring quality.

International career

Youth international career (2010–2013)

De Bruyne received his first call-up to the under-18 national team in 2009, marking the beginning of his youth international career. He made his debut for the side on 10 March 2009 in a 1–2 friendly defeat to . Over the course of his time with the U18s, he earned 7 caps and scored 1 goal. In , De Bruyne progressed to the under-19 team, where he made his debut on 11 May . He featured prominently in the qualifying round, scoring the opening goal in a 4–0 home win against on 13 November , which helped secure Belgium's advancement to the elite round. In total, De Bruyne recorded 10 caps and 1 goal for the U19s during this period. De Bruyne earned his first call-up to the under-21 team in 2011, making his debut on 24 March 2011 in a 0–0 friendly draw against . Over his U21 tenure from 2011 to 2013, he amassed 2 caps without scoring.

Senior international career (2014–2018)

De Bruyne made his senior international debut for the national team on 11 August 2010, coming on as a substitute in a 0–1 friendly defeat to in . Despite early promise, his involvement remained limited over the next few years due to competition for midfield positions and club commitments, with only sporadic appearances until his breakthrough in 2014, when he established himself as a core player under coach . De Bruyne played a pivotal role in Belgium's run to the quarter-finals at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, featuring in all five matches for the Red Devils. He marked his tournament with a goal and an assist in the round-of-16 clash against the United States on 1 July, scoring a decisive 92nd-minute strike in extra time to seal a 2–1 victory after assisting Romelu Lukaku earlier in the game. Belgium's campaign ended in the quarter-finals with a 0–0 draw against Argentina, lost on penalties, but De Bruyne's dynamic play in central midfield, combining vision and long-range passing, highlighted his growing influence on the international stage. In , De Bruyne participated in all five of Belgium's fixtures as they topped Group E before exiting in the round of 16. He scored once during the group stage, netting the winner in a 1–0 victory over on 22 June with a composed finish from the edge of the box in the 25th minute. Additionally, he provided three assists, including key contributions in the 3–0 win against the on 18 June, where his deliveries set up goals for and . Belgium's tournament concluded with a 1–3 defeat to in the knockout stage, despite De Bruyne's creative efforts in attempting to break down their defense. De Bruyne's standout performances continued at the in , where he started all seven games and anchored Belgium's midfield during their historic third-place finish—the nation's best World Cup result since 1986. He contributed one goal and three assists, with his long-range strike in the 31st minute of the quarter-final against on 6 proving decisive in a 2–1 upset victory, while also assisting Eden Hazard's opener in the same match. His earlier assists came against (for ) and (for ) in the group and round-of-16 stages, respectively, showcasing his ability to dictate play and deliver precise crosses. Belgium advanced to the semi-finals before a 0–1 loss , then secured with a 2–0 win over , where De Bruyne's composure under pressure earned him inclusion in the Fan Dream Team. By the end of 2018, De Bruyne had amassed 80 caps for , scoring 15 goals in total.

Senior international career (2018–present)

De Bruyne played a pivotal role for at , appearing in four matches after recovering from a facial fracture sustained in the final. He scored his sole goal of the tournament in a 2-1 group stage victory over on 17 June 2021, curling a superb left-footed strike into the top corner from 25 yards to secure the win in . His performances earned him the award for that game, highlighting his vision and passing range in midfield. advanced to the quarter-finals but were eliminated 2-1 by on 2 August 2021, with De Bruyne's tireless display unable to prevent the Azzurri's progression. At the in , De Bruyne featured in all four of Belgium's fixtures, scoring once as the team exited in the round of 16. He opened the scoring in a 1-0 group stage win against on 23 November 2022 with a powerful 25-yard drive, becoming the first Belgian to score in three consecutive World Cups. Belgium's campaign ended with a 0-2 defeat to in the round of 16 on 29 November 2022, where De Bruyne's creativity was notable but insufficient against a resilient opponent. In March 2023, following Eden Hazard's international retirement in 2019 and amid transitions in the squad, De Bruyne was appointed Belgium's permanent captain by coach , succeeding and reflecting his growing leadership stature. Under his captaincy, topped their group, with De Bruyne contributing key assists in victories such as a 3-0 win over in March 2023. At the tournament proper in , he led the team in four matches, scoring once in a crucial 2-0 group stage win against on 22 June 2024, finishing emphatically after a through ball from . reached the round of 16 but suffered a 1-0 loss to France on 1 July 2024, prompting De Bruyne to question the "Golden Generation" label post-match while affirming his commitment to international football. In September 2025, following a coaching change, De Bruyne was replaced as captain by Youri Tielemans under new coach Rudi Garcia. As of November 2025, De Bruyne has amassed 115 caps for Belgium, scoring 36 goals and providing numerous assists, solidifying his status as one of the nation's most prolific midfielders. In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, he was instrumental, netting six goals—including a brace of penalties in a 4-2 victory over Wales on 13 October 2025—and delivering an assist across six appearances, helping Belgium secure top position in Group J and qualify for the tournament on 18 November 2025. His leadership has been central to bridging Belgium's "Golden Generation" to a younger cohort, with coach Rudi Garcia praising his experience amid squad evolution. De Bruyne's ongoing contributions underscore his role in sustaining Belgium's competitiveness ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Playing style and reception

Playing style

Kevin De Bruyne primarily functions as an advanced and attacking , often deployed in central positions or on the right wing to maximize his creative influence. His positional versatility enables him to shift into roles such as a false nine or number 10, adapting seamlessly to tactical systems that emphasize fluid attacking patterns. Under managers like , this flexibility has allowed him to operate across the frontline, linking midfield and attack while exploiting half-spaces and inside channels. De Bruyne's strengths lie in his exceptional vision for long-range passes and crossing accuracy, enabling him to deliver penetrating through-balls and back-post crosses that dismantle defenses. He has demonstrated this prowess with a career-high 20 assists in the 2019-20 season, underscoring his role as a prolific chance creator. Additionally, his shooting from distance, characterized by powerful strikes with minimal backlift, and his in tight spaces further enhance his offensive threat, allowing him to beat opponents technically and contribute directly to goals. These attributes have made him a four-time assist leader, highlighting his precision in set-piece delivery and transitions. Despite his technical brilliance, De Bruyne's occasional proneness has impacted his stamina and availability, leading to periods of reduced output during recovery. He is also less effective in defensive duties, with his pressing more ferocious in short bursts than sustained over long distances against agile opponents. This has occasionally limited his involvement in high-intensity pressing phases. De Bruyne's style has evolved significantly from a box-to-box in his , where he balanced defensive and offensive responsibilities, to a central creative hub under Guardiola. This progression has refined his off-ball movement, tactical awareness, and synergy with forwards like , transforming him into a more positionally intelligent orchestrator of play. He is often compared to for his ability to thrive as a dual number 10 in central areas, blending vision with subtle movement to control games.

Reception and legacy

Kevin De Bruyne has received widespread acclaim from peers and managers for his exceptional vision and creativity on the pitch. Manchester City manager , under whom De Bruyne played for a decade, has repeatedly praised him as one of the world's elite midfielders, once describing him as "the best in the world" following a standout performance against Sporting CP in 2024. De Bruyne's individual recognition includes winning the (PFA) Players' Player of the Year award in both the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons, becoming only the third player to achieve back-to-back honors after and . These accolades underscore his pivotal role in Manchester City's dominance, where his precise passing and playmaking elevated the team's attacking prowess. De Bruyne has consistently featured among the top contenders in major individual rankings. He finished third in the , behind and , after leading Manchester City to the title with 15 goals and 16 assists across all competitions. In 2023, he placed fourth, having contributed 10 goals and 32 assists in the treble-winning campaign. For the Men's Player of the Year award, De Bruyne has been shortlisted multiple times, including in 2020 alongside and , in 2021 with and , and in 2023 with and , reflecting his influence in European competitions. De Bruyne's legacy is marked by his transformative impact on modern midfield play, particularly through his assist records in the Premier League. He set the single-season benchmark with 20 assists in 2019–20 and became the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League assists, achieving the milestone in just 237 games—56 fewer than the previous record holder. By 2025, his tally stood at 119 assists, placing him second all-time behind Ryan Giggs and establishing him as a benchmark for aspiring midfielders who prioritize vision and tempo control over goal-scoring flair. In Belgium's golden generation, De Bruyne served as a linchpin, driving the team to the 2018 World Cup semifinals and inspiring a cohort of technically gifted players, though the group ultimately fell short of major tournament glory amid high expectations. Despite his achievements, De Bruyne has faced criticisms centered on persistent injuries that have interrupted his consistency, with hamstring and thigh issues sidelining him for significant periods, including a complex thigh injury in late 2024 that raised concerns over his availability. Some observers have noted an underappreciation of his contributions relative to prolific forwards, attributing this to the midfield role's less visible spotlight in media narratives, even as pundits like Jamie Redknapp have lauded him as potentially one of the Premier League's greatest midfielders ever. Following his departure from Manchester City in 2025, De Bruyne joined Napoli on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal with an option for extension at age 34, a move viewed by some as a graceful entry into the career twilight amid ongoing challenges. In November 2025, he underwent successful surgery on a sustained earlier in the season, confirming a lengthy absence but affirming his commitment to contributing to Napoli's ambitions in . This phase has prompted reflections on his enduring influence, with contemporaries recognizing him as one of Manchester City's all-time greats despite the physical toll of his high-intensity style.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Kevin De Bruyne married his wife, Michèle Lacroix, in June 2017 in , , following their engagement in December 2016 at the in . The couple first connected in 2014 through a (now X) interaction, when De Bruyne's friend noticed Lacroix had liked one of his posts and encouraged him to reach out, leading to their relationship. De Bruyne and Lacroix have three children: sons Mason Milian, born on 10 March 2016, and , born on 31 October 2018, as well as daughter Suri, born in September 2020. From 2015 to 2025, the family made their home in during De Bruyne's time with , where Lacroix offered consistent support through his demanding schedule and frequent travels. In 2025, after De Bruyne's transfer to , the family relocated to , a decision shaped by Lacroix's enthusiasm for the Italian lifestyle and the couple's sentimental ties to the region from their . De Bruyne involved his children in discussions about the move to ensure their comfort with the change. The family prioritizes privacy in personal matters, though Lacroix shares occasional family moments on her account, balancing public glimpses with a focus on their private life.

Philanthropy and endorsements

In 2020, Kevin De Bruyne established the Kevin De Bruyne Foundation, dedicated to supporting and empowering disadvantaged children and young people in through educational and developmental programs. De Bruyne has participated in various charity initiatives, including the annual KDB Cup youth football tournament he founded in 2016 to promote talent development among underprivileged children, and a 2015 charity match organized by to raise funds for children's causes. Commercially, De Bruyne has held a long-term endorsement deal with Nike since 2013, appearing in campaigns and wearing their products on the pitch, alongside partnerships with for the Belgian market since 2023 and brands like Therabody. These deals contribute to his estimated of approximately $70 million as of 2025.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Kevin De Bruyne's club career spans multiple leagues and competitions, with statistics reflecting his contributions in appearances, goals, and assists. As of November 20, 2025, he has accumulated 635 club appearances, 169 goals, and 251 assists across all competitions. The following table summarizes his seasonal statistics by club, aggregating appearances, goals, and assists from league matches, domestic cups, continental competitions, and other fixtures.
SeasonClubAppearancesGoalsAssists
2008–09Genk800
2009–10Genk3123
2010–11Genk32511
2011–12Genk28811
2012–13Werder Bremen (loan)33109
2013–14Chelsea901
2013–14Wolfsburg1636
2014–15Wolfsburg461021
2015–16Manchester City411616
2016–17Manchester City48818
2017–18Manchester City48816
2018–19Manchester City32816
2019–20Manchester City351320
2020–21Manchester City49620
2021–22Manchester City491519
2022–23Manchester City521026
2023–24Manchester City33613
2024–25Manchester City2847
2025–26Napoli1143
Total635169251
These figures include all official matches; assists are recorded where officially attributed by respective leagues and competitions.

Breakdown by Competition

De Bruyne's contributions vary by competition type. In domestic leagues, he has recorded approximately 450 appearances, 110 goals, and 170 assists, primarily from the Belgian Pro League (114 appearances, 25 goals, 35 assists at Genk), Bundesliga (89 appearances, 30 goals, 44 assists across Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg), Premier League (288 appearances, 72 goals, 119 assists at Manchester City), and early Serie A play (8 appearances, 4 goals, 1 assist at Napoli). In domestic cups, he has around 80 appearances, 15 goals, and 25 assists, highlighted by his role in Manchester City's multiple FA Cup and EFL Cup triumphs. Continental competitions, notably the UEFA Champions League, feature over 100 appearances, 20 goals, and 40 assists, with key performances in Manchester City's 2023 triumph (10 appearances, 3 goals, 5 assists across the 2022–23 campaign). Certain seasons were notably impacted by injuries. The 2018–19 season at Manchester City saw De Bruyne limited to 32 total appearances following keyhole on his in 2018, which sidelined him for three months. Similarly, the 2023–24 season was affected by recurring issues, restricting him to 33 appearances despite contributing to City's title defense. In the ongoing 2025–26 season with Napoli, a strain in October 2025 has already caused him to miss matches, following a history of similar injuries including in 2023.

International statistics

Kevin De Bruyne represented at various youth levels, accumulating 35 caps and scoring 10 goals across the U18, U19, and U21 teams. For his senior international career with , as of November 20, 2025, De Bruyne has earned 115 caps, scored 36 goals, and provided 50 assists. The following table summarizes his appearances, goals, and assists by major tournament and competition type:
CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssists
1324
1325
World Cup Qualifiers442124
European Qualifiers1568
Friendlies and Other3059
De Bruyne's goals for span from his debut in 2010 to 2025, with notable strikes including his first international goal against in 2011 and key tournament goals such as in the 2018 World Cup against . He holds the record for the most assists in Belgian national team history, surpassing Eden Hazard's previous mark, and has contributed to 86 goal involvements overall.

Honours and achievements

Club honours

Kevin De Bruyne began his professional career at , where he played a pivotal role in their triumph, contributing 5 goals and 10 assists in the league campaign to help secure the club's first title in over a decade. During his stint at from 2014 to 2015, De Bruyne was instrumental in winning the 2014–15 , scoring 16 goals and providing 28 assists across all competitions, including a standout performance in the final against . De Bruyne's tenure at Manchester City from 2015 to 2025 yielded the bulk of his club silverware, with his visionary passing and goal-scoring ability central to the team's dominance. He contributed to six titles in 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24, often earning Player of the Season honors for his record-breaking assist tallies. The side also won two FA Cups in 2018–19 and 2022–23 under his influence, five EFL Cups in 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, and 2020–21, and three Community Shields in 2018, 2019, and 2024. On the European stage, De Bruyne's leadership helped secure the , followed by the and the , completing a historic treble in the 2022–23 season. In June 2025, De Bruyne transferred to Napoli, where, as of November 2025, the club has yet to win any major trophies during his time there, though they remain in contention for the title in the ongoing 2025–26 season. Overall, these achievements represent 21 major club trophies across his career with , , Manchester City, and Napoli.

International honours

De Bruyne contributed to Belgium's third-place finish at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where the team defeated England 2–0 in the playoff match after reaching the semi-finals. This marked Belgium's best performance in the tournament's history, with De Bruyne playing a key role in their run, including a notable assist in the quarter-final victory over Brazil. At the youth level, De Bruyne featured for 's under-21 team in qualifiers and earlier tournaments, but the side did not reach any major finals during his involvement. Belgium has not secured any major senior international titles during De Bruyne's tenure, but the team has shown consistent competitiveness in major tournaments. In the , they advanced to the quarter-finals in (losing to on penalties), third place in 2018, and quarter-finals again in 2022 (eliminated by ). Similarly, in the , reached the quarter-finals in 2016 (defeated by ) and 2020 (lost to on penalties), before exiting in the round of 16 at Euro 2024 against . In the , De Bruyne helped reach the semi-finals of the 2020–21 edition, where they fell 2–3 to France after qualifying as the best runner-up and topping their group ahead of and . This performance underscored 's status as a top European side, though they have not progressed to a final in the competition.

Individual awards

De Bruyne's standout performances have earned him numerous individual accolades throughout his career, recognizing his creativity, vision, and consistency as a . In the 2014–15 season with , he was named Player of the Season after contributing 10 goals and a league-record 21 assists in 34 appearances, helping the team finish second. During his time at , De Bruyne won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award for the 2019–20 season, becoming the first player to receive the honor, following a campaign where he recorded 16 goals and 23 assists across all competitions. He repeated the feat in 2020–21, with 15 goals and 17 assists in 36 appearances despite injury setbacks. Although he finished as runner-up for the in 2020 behind , his influence was widely acknowledged. De Bruyne dominated the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award, winning it four times for his assist tallies: 16 in 2017–18, 20 (a single-season record) in 2019–20, 12 in 2020–21, and 16 in 2022–23. He has also received multiple Ballon d'Or nominations, finishing 14th in both 2017 and 2019 before achieving his career-best third place in 2022, behind Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané, after a season with 21 goals and 18 assists. In recognition of his contributions to Belgian football, De Bruyne was awarded the Best Belgian Player in a Foreign League at the 2017 Golden Shoe gala for his 2016 performances, and he won the Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year in 2020. In January 2026, he was inducted into the Belgian Hall of Fame. On the European stage, he was selected to the in 2020 following his pivotal role in Manchester City's run to the Champions League final, where he earned the Midfielder of the Season award with four goals and eight assists in the competition.
AwardYear(s)Details
Player of the Season2014–15Voted by fellow professionals for 10 goals and 21 assists.
PFA Players' Player of the Year2019–20, 2020–21Voted by PFA members for exceptional contributions.
of the Season2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23For leading the league in assists each season.
2017 (14th), 2019 (14th), 2022 (3rd)Nominated by ; highest finish in 2022.
Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year2016, 2020Awarded for top Belgian performer abroad.
Team of the Year2020Selected by fans for 2019–20 season impact.
Belgian Hall of Fame2026Inducted in recognition of contributions to Belgian football.

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  109. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/bruyne-reveals-involved-kids-decision-122000516.html
  110. https://www.marca.com/en/football/manchester-city/2025/05/25/683310e3ca4741db4b8b45c8.html
  111. https://www.goal.com/en/lists/13-fun-facts-about-kevin-de-bruyne/blt02c4e080a8fed912
  112. https://kdbcup.be/en/
  113. https://sport360.com/gallery/european/45187/gallery-unicef-charity-football-match-organised-david-beckham
  114. https://www.sportspro.com/news/kevin-de-bruyne-michele-lacroix-mcdonalds-manchester-city-endorsement-deal/
  115. https://www.forbes.com/profile/kevin-de-bruyne/
  116. https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-athletes/richest-soccer/kevin-de-bruyne-net-worth/
  117. https://footystats.org/players/belgium/kevin-de-bruyne
  118. https://us.soccerway.com/player/de-bruyne-kevin/MsPs6OI5/
  119. https://www.transfermarkt.us/kevin-de-bruyne/verletzungen/spieler/88755
  120. https://www.the-independent.com/sport/football/napoli-kevin-de-bruyne-injury-serie-a-b2852919.html
  121. https://www.sofascore.com/player/kevin-de-bruyne/70996
  122. https://sscnapoli.it/en/opta-special-la-carriera-e-i-numeri-di-kdb/
  123. https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/results/_/id/459/league/FIFA.WORLD/season/2018
  124. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/teams/13--belgium/
  125. https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/0253-0d81efc3d59b-c4e36c8646ec-1000--all-the-2018-19-uefa-nations-league-results/
  126. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37420170/wolfsburg-star-kevin-de-bruyne-named-bundesliga-top-player
  127. https://www.thepfa.com/news/2020/9/8/pfa-poty-winners
  128. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57356719
  129. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8556071/Liverpool-captain-Jordan-Henderson-beats-Kevin-Bruyne-win-FWA-Footballer-Year.html
  130. https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/1206143
  131. https://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/awards/ballondor-2017.htm
  132. https://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/awards/ballondor-2019.htm
  133. https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/kevin-de-bruyne-ballon-dor-manchester-city-63801628
  134. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4206200/Kevin-Bruyne-scoops-Best-Belgian-Player-award.html
  135. https://x.com/KevinDeBruyne/status/2010697559392522750
  136. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0265-1160b7e1bca5-2395e11c09bc-1000--uefa-com-fans-men-s-team-of-the-year-stats-breakdown/
  137. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0262-1081d0b16b87-b7d6d33fa63e-1000--kevin-de-bruyne-champions-league-midfielder-of-the-season/
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