Kevin De Bruyne reveals his favourite-ever teammate

Kevin De Bruyne will leave Manchester City at the expiration of his contract this summer, calling time on his trophy-laden ten-year spell with the club.

The Belgian arrived in Manchester in 2015 and has won nearly everything that there is to win with City, including six Premier League titles and the club’s maiden Champions League triumph. However he has suffered injuries with greater frequency in recent years and has not be a regular for much of 2024/25.

“Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye,” De Bruyne wrote in a statement released on Friday. “Every story comes to an end but this has definitely been the best chapter.”

During his decade with the club De Bruyne has played with many of the world’s best players. Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this year, he named four players that he has particularly enjoyed playing with over his career.

“First, David Silva. Second Yaya Toure. Third Kun Sergio Aguero. Fourth Fernandinho," he said.

Asked what sets David Silva apart from the rest, De Bruyne explained: “It’s just his understanding of the game, how to play in the pockets. I know people sometimes say he’s not the quickest, not the strongest, maybe not the best shot. But nobody could get the ball off him.

De Bruyne’s final season with City will not end with a fifth straight Premier League title, nor with another European crown. City have underperformed this year and their last chance at silverware is the FA Cup, in which they face Nottingham Forest in the semi-final.

However that game goes, De Bruyne’s legacy as an all-time Manchester City and Premier League great is secured. Speaking on Friday, Pep Guardiola paid tribute to the Belgian’s impact at the club.

“You always have to be careful, have respect for the players who play main roles, and incredible players that play for the last, I don’t know, 20, 30 years in this club,” he said. “But come on, there’s no doubt he’s one of the greatest, for sure. Because of his consistency – except the last year, year and a half, that he had injury problems – in important games and not important games, and every three days being there.”

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