Kevin De Bruyne: Qatar World Cup could be Man City player’s last

Kevin De Bruyne says next month’s World Cup could be his last. The Belgium international played for his country when they finished third in Russia in 2018 and reached the quarter-finals in Brazil eight years ago but he knows this could be his last chance with his national team.

“My family are going over for the group stages. I am obviously 31 and I don’t know what will happen in four years. This is the first time my kids can come to the World Cup,” De Bruyne said.

“That is why they are coming. It will be special, an event I don’t want them to miss. They are six, four and two. The eldest two of them follow the football a bit but the daughter, not really, but she can go and enjoy the sun and play in the pool.

“I am excited. It will be the third one and it is always special. These events are great as everyone is watching it. It is big but there is no point to stress about it. It is my third time, I understand what is coming and I cannot speak for someone else who will be there for the first time.

“It is unknown [the timing]. There is no point worrying about it or thinking about it. You take it as it comes and try and play as well as possible. We are not talking about it with team-mates. The schedule is too hectic. We had two away games quickly after each other.”

Belgium are in Group F with Canada, Morocco and Croatia.

City win through De Bruyne wondergoal

Manchester City moved top of the Premier League on Saturday thanks to a brilliant De Bruyne free-kick before Arsenal regained the lead after beating Nottingham Forest 5-0 on Sunday.

De Bruyne happy with form

“We play so many games and it is so hectic, the schedule so difficult, some games are better than others. I am fairly happy with the way I play. Can you do better? Yes, of course, but I do not take it too much as criticism,” he added.

“You just want to be the best version of yourself you can be. I still feel confident in what I am doing.”