Latest news with #KevinDeBruyne
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Kevin De Bruyne's Napoli given brutal reality check by minnows who asked for photos with Man City legend at full time
KEVIN DE BRUYNE shock move to Italy came crashing back down to earth after Napoli were beaten 2-0 by a THIRD TIER side. And to make matters even more embarrassing, the opponents asked the Premier League legend to pose for PICTURES at full-time. 3 3 De Bruyne, who recently joined as a free agent from Manchester City, was handed his first start by manager Antonio Conte. Minnow side Arezzo struck twice, once late in each half, to secure a remarkable pre-season win over the champions of Italy. The opener came through Emiliano Pattarello's covered penalty just before halftime, catching Napoli off guard after an otherwise comfortable 45 minutes. Then, deep into stoppage time, Muhamed Varela doubled Arezzo's lead to seal a famous victory at Napoli's own training camp venue. But despite the result classy De Bruyne took time to stand for photos after being asked by a string of Arezzo players on Tuesday evening. The Belgian great, 34, was spotted standing in the middle of the pitch, with his boots off and looking red faced while smiling into the camera. De Bruyne was subbed off at half-time for defensive midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, while former Prem star Romelu Lukaku got a full second half. De Bruyne will wear the No.11 shirt in the coming season but, as a welcome gesture from the club, he has been training wearing Diego Maradona's retired No10 on his shorts. 3 Notably absent from Conte's squad were Serie A Player of the Season Scott McTominay and Matteo Politano. Both players were ruled out due to muscle fatigue. Man Utd hunting Jackson as Chelsea's demands revealed | Transfers Exposed The pair have reportedly been managing minor strains caused by the intense physical demands of Conte's pre-season sessions. Arezzo's goalkeeper, Luca Trombini, was the standout performer, denying Napoli repeatedly with a string of big saves. Napoli's pre-season continues with another friendly scheduled against Serie B outfit Catanzaro on July 26. Their title defence begins with a trip to Sassuolo on August 23.
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Kevin De Bruyne To Wear Maradona's No.10 Jersey At Napoli? Here's The Truth...
Last Updated: Will Kevin De Bruyne wear the no.10 jersey for Napoli, previously retired for Diego Maradona? Kevin De Bruyne was asked about wearing the no.10 jersey for Napoli following his summer move from Manchester City, calling it a significant honour to don the iconic shirt number previously retired for the legendary Diego Maradona. However, he added, 'I'm my own player." De Bruyne has been training with Napoli for the past week after joining on a free transfer from Manchester City, where he spent ten years and won six league titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, and the UEFA Champions League. The Belgian was officially unveiled to the press on Saturday, holding his introductory press conference in the afternoon. What Jersey Number Will Kevin De Bruyne Wear At Napoli? Reporters at De Bruyne's first Napoli press conference inquired about photographs that circulated earlier, showing him wearing Maradona's retired no.10 during training. In response, De Bruyne confirmed he will wear the no.10 shirt for the 2024-25 season. 'I would say I was a bit surprised in the beginning, because I knew that the number was retired, but in another way it's an honour. It's an honour from the team and from the club to give me this responsibility," De Bruyne said. He clarified that a shirt number does not add extra pressure for a player at his level, as 'the pressure comes from itself if you play for a big team like Napoli." 'I don't think it adds any more pressure," De Bruyne added. 'I think the pressure comes from itself. If you play for big teams like Napoli, the pressure will be there. There's a team that wants to win, you know what you have to do as a player and a squad, but I don't believe that a number or anything else will add to the pressure. 'Maradona is Maradona, he's one of the legends of the game and he's synonymous with Napoli anyway. I'm grateful, I'm proud, but I'm my own player. I'm going to try and do the job the best I can do and hopefully I can bring pleasure to the team, to the city and to the fans and get some good performances in there." Reports suggested that Kevin De Bruyne would be sportng the number 11 at Napoli. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
De Bruyne will rely on Belgium teammate Lukaku for more than just goals at Napoli
Kevin De Bruyne is going to rely on Romelu Lukaku for more than just goals at his new club Napoli. He also wants translation help from his long time Belgium teammate. De Bruyne called Lukaku and former Napoli and Belgium standout Dries Mertens to feel out what the southern club was like before signing for the Italian champion.
New York Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Kevin de Bruyne honoured to train in Diego Maradona's No 10 at Napoli: ‘No added pressure'
Kevin de Bruyne says it is 'an honour' to be allowed to train for Napoli wearing Diego Maradona's iconic No 10 but insists it does not add extra pressure. De Bruyne joined Napoli as a free agent last month after a decade at Manchester City, and was unveiled to the media on Saturday following his first week of pre-season training. Advertisement The 34-year-old will wear the No 11 shirt in the coming season but, as a welcome gesture from the club, he has been training wearing Maradona's No 10 on his shorts. Napoli retired their No 10 shirt in recognition of Maradona's remarkable spell in Naples from 1984 to 1991, during which he inspired them to two Serie A titles and the UEFA Cup — as well as winning the 1986 World Cup with Argentina. 'I would say I was a bit surprised in the beginning,' De Bruyne said, when asked about wearing Maradona's number. 'Because obviously I know that the number was retired. But in another way, it's an honour. It's an honour from the team and from the club to give me this responsibility. 'I don't think it adds any more pressure. I think the pressure comes from itself — if you play for big teams like Napoli, the pressure will be there. There's a team that wants to win, so you know what you have to do as a player, as a squad. 'But I don't believe that a number or anything else will add the pressure. Maradona is one of the legends of the game, and is synonymous with Napoli. 'Anyway, we know that, but I'm grateful. I'm proud. But I'm my own player. 'I'm going to try and do the job the best I can do, and hopefully I can bring pleasure to the team and to the city and to the fans, and get some good performances in that.' De Bruyne said last season that he was 'surprised' not to have been offered a new deal by City despite helping his former club to 16 major trophies after joining from German club Wolfsburg in 2015. He revealed it was 'stressful' facing the prospect of being a free agent for the first time and said the 'competitiveness' of Napoli's project, along with lifestyle considerations, convinced him to chose them over other suitors. 'It's the first time I've been in a situation where I was (a) free (agent) — I've always had a contract,' he said. 'So it was always easy for me [previously]. Every summer, I was just easy. I was good. Advertisement 'The longer the (2024-25) season went on with nothing going on, it was a bit stressful, because it's a very new situation. 'But then obviously Napoli came, some other teams came, and they presented their projects, and then I think there was a lot of difference in the projects. 'It was lifestyle, it was competitiveness, all different types (of considerations). 'And the Napoli project for me was all around the best option for me. Because obviously, I think the main thing is (the club's) competitiveness. 'But then obviously the lifestyle, the sun – it's very different than what I used to, but I'm still a football player I'm very competitive, and I think I'm still able to perform at a good level. 'So as long as I'm playing football, I want to get the most out of myself. And once a day will come that I feel I'm not able to do it, and maybe I will make another decision, but now we are 34, I still feel I'm able to get a good level on myself, and I'm here to prove that I can do that.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
De Bruyne will rely on Belgium teammate Lukaku for more than just goals at Napoli
Kevin De Bruyne is going to rely on Romelu Lukaku for more than just goals at his new club Napoli. He also wants translation help from his long time Belgium teammate. De Bruyne called Lukaku and former Napoli and Belgium standout Dries Mertens to feel out what the southern club was like before signing for the Italian champion. 'I was speaking with (Lukaku) in the national team and he wanted me to join,' De Bruyne said at his presentation at Napoli's training camp in the Dolomites on Saturday. 'I know Romelu since we are 13 years old. So we are really tied together. When we played in Chelsea we lived together for like two-three months. 'So it makes it a little bit easier that I know him because he's somebody who can translate a little bit for me and who can help me around because he knows the coach, he knows the team,' De Bruyne added. Lukaku led Napoli with 14 goals last season and also won Serie A under current Napoli coach Antonio Conte at Inter Milan in 2021. Maradona's No. 10 De Bruyne was unexpectedly given a training kit featuring Diego Maradona's No. 10 on it for his first practice session at Napoli. 'I was a bit surprised in the beginning because obviously I knew that the number was retired but in another way it's an honor,' De Bruyne said. 'It's an honor from the team and from the club to give me this responsibility.' During the presentation though, De Bruyne was given a shirt bearing No. 11. 'Maradona is Maradona. He's synonymous with Napoli,' De Bruyne said. 'I'm my own player. I am going to try and do the job the best I can do and hopefully I can bring pleasure to the team and to the city and to the fans.' Proving his level Having turned 34 last month, De Bruyne's contract was allowed to run out at Manchester City, where he won a boatload of trophies. 'I had lots of offers in Europe and America and Saudi (Arabia),' De Bruyne said. He chose Napoli because it was the best fit in terms of competitiveness. 'I still feel I am able to get a good level out of myself and I'm here to prove that I can do that,' De Bruyne said. Man City for life Known as one of soccer's most complete midfielders, De Bruyne was named the best player in the Premier League for the 2019-2020 and 2021-22 seasons. In 10 seasons at City, he helped the English club to six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League trophy. 'I'm a Man City player for life,' De Bruyne said. 'With the way that it ended for me it's time to find a new challenge, and I think when I had the whole project in front of me, and then the fact that I could play in Italy and still play at a high level, was exciting for me.' Midfield mates With De Bruyne teaming up with freshly crowned Serie A player of the year Scott McTominay and passing wizard Stanislav Lobotka, Napoli could have one of the strongest midfields in the world. 'We still have Frank (Andre-Frank Anguissa) and then Billy (Gilmour) — they're really good players and it's not about what we do with three players. It's about what we do all together," De Bruyne said. "And we're going to play a lot of games so it's going to be interchangeable anyway.' ___ AP soccer:
