It was a farewell fit for a king as Kevin De Bruyne says goodbye to the Etihad
Following Manchester City's crucial 3-1 win over Bournemouth last night at the Etihad, a club legend played his last game at the Etihad and said goodbye to the Manchester City fans. A touching ceremony was held for Kevin De Bruyne to say goodbye to the club and fans that he has given everything for. It was a farewell fit for a king. As it unfolded, there was no doubt about where De Bruyne sits as a Manchester City legend.
The emotion of it all got to Kevin De Bruyne.
It was always going to be an emotional night last night. Kevin De Bruyne has proven himself to be Manchester City's greatest ever player. The hope was that his team could send him off in style with a victory. They did that, and De Bruyne played a key role in the victory before he was substituted at the 70-minute mark. His walk off the pitch was a special moment in itself. But it would get even more emotional after the final whistle.
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Kevin De Bruyne and his family joined Natalie Pike in the centre of the Etihad Stadium. The emotion of it all got to De Bruyne as the Manchester City fans serenaded a club legend. After giving so much to the cause for a decade, De Bruyne had done all he could for his club at the Etihad. There is no more left to do for him. He and his team have scaled the mountain several times over. De Bruyne has paid a physical price for his efforts. But it's those efforts that have made him a Manchester City and Premier League legend. He will be honoured with a statue outside the Etihad Stadium. That is a fitting reward for the legacy De Bruyne leaves behind. But last night's tribute to the Belgian international was the perfect way for him to go out at the Etihad Stadium.
Kevin De Bruyne says goodbye to the Manchester City fans with his family.
There is no doubt about the standing that De Bruyne has at Manchester City.
The video tributes to Kevin De Bruyne leave left no doubt about his standing at the club. To see Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart, Leroy Sane, Riyad Mahrez, Pablo Zabaleta, Mike Summerbee, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden just to name a few shower De Bruyne in praise shows that he is the greatest Manchester City player of all time. The moment when his children praised their father was also touching moment. In an era where footballers aren't so much viewed as people, but rather as commodities that was an especially touching moment.
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Kevin De Bruyne's farewell to the Etihad and the Manchester City fans was a special moment last night. It will live long in the memory as will his deeds on the pitch.
But from my personal point of view the best way to sum up De Bruyne's contribution to Manchester City is this: Thank you Kevin De Bruyne. For the goals, the assists, the trophies, the sacrifice and the lifetime of memories that will never be forgotten. If you're lucky as a football fan your club will have maybe 4 of 5 players in your lifetime who will go down as club legends and their performances will never be forgotten. Over the past 15 years Manchester City have had a host of these players in Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva. Kevin De Bruyne sits alongside them and perhaps at the head of that table. He got the send off he deserved last night and that alongside his immense contribution will never be forgotten.
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