The Etihad Stadium bore witness to an emotional farewell on Tuesday night as Kevin De Bruyne played his final home match for Manchester City, captaining the side to a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth in what marked the end of an era for one of the club’s greatest-ever players. The Belgian maestro, whose departure was confirmed earlier this season after a glittering decade in sky blue, was given a hero’s send-off by fans, teammates, and even the media—though not without a cheeky moment of ribbing from former City defender Micah Richards, who was swiftly scolded for his bluntness during a post-match interview.
As the final whistle blew on De Bruyne’s Etihad career, the 33-year-old midfielder was greeted by Richards and Jamie Redknapp for a pitch-side chat with Sky Sports. What followed was a typically lighthearted yet revealing exchange, with Richards immediately seizing the opportunity to tease De Bruyne about a glaring miss during the match. “Talking about fun, we’ve got to talk about your chance,” Richards said with a grin, referencing a close-range opportunity that the Belgian uncharacteristically failed to convert. Redknapp, laughing, interjected, “No, you can’t do that, Micah!”—prompting Richards to backtrack slightly, though not without affection. “Kevin knows how much I love him,” he added.
De Bruyne, ever the good sport, owned the moment with a mix of humor and honesty. “I just have to be there, it’s going to come,” he shrugged. “It’s terrible. There’s no excuses. My son is going to be very tough on me today.” The moment encapsulated the camaraderie and respect De Bruyne has earned over the years, not just from teammates but from peers across the sport.
The match itself was a microcosm of De Bruyne’s City career: influential, creative, and ultimately victorious. Goals from Omar Marmoush, Bernardo Silva, and substitute Nico González sealed the win, though the occasion was always going to be about more than the result. De Bruyne, who played 69 minutes before being substituted to a standing ovation, admitted afterward that the reality of his departure hadn’t fully sunk in. “It’s a bit weird,” he reflected. “I don’t know. It’s been unbelievable to have the 10 years that I’ve had here. An unbelievable ride, absolute pressure—but I don’t know. I just wanted to bring joy to people, play offensive football, be creative. That’s what I am on the pitch. I wanted to have fun, and I think we’ve had a lot of fun over the 10 years.”
His words were a testament to a career defined not just by silverware—six Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups, and a Champions League among them—but by a relentless commitment to excellence and entertainment. De Bruyne’s legacy at City is secure; he leaves as a transformative figure who helped elevate the club to its current status as a global powerhouse.
The emotional weight of the evening was underscored by the club’s plans to honor him with a lifetime season ticket, a rare distinction previously awarded to only six other City icons: Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Yaya Touré, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, and Sergio Agüero. The gesture, presented by the family of club legend Colin Bell, ensures De Bruyne’s bond with the Etihad will endure long after his departure. Pep Guardiola, who has often described De Bruyne as one of the finest players he’s ever coached, summed it up perfectly: “Kevin will get what he deserves. That is the best compliment for his incredible trajectory. What he has done, alongside other legends, is why the club reached another level.”
Yet even as the tributes poured in, the question of De Bruyne’s next move loomed large. The midfielder has been characteristically coy about his plans, though speculation is rife. Bookmakers currently favor a move to Italy, with Serie A clubs priced at 1/4, while Napoli and MLS teams are also in the mix. A sensational Premier League switch hasn’t been ruled out either—De Bruyne’s recent admission that he’s open to staying in England (“Maybe,” he teased) has fueled links to Liverpool and Aston Villa, though the former would be particularly contentious given his City ties.
Interestingly, old clips of a young De Bruyne admitting his childhood admiration for Liverpool (“My favorite team is Liverpool FC, and my favorite player is Michael Owen. I’d like to play there”) have resurfaced, adding intrigue to the rumors. Still, for now, the man himself is in no rush. “I will make my decision, and you guys will know when I know,” he told reporters, emphasizing that family considerations will play a pivotal role. “I have to take a decision that works for all of us, not just me.”
As the curtain falls on De Bruyne’s City career, the football world waits to see where this generational talent will shine next. But one thing is certain: whether in Italy, England, or beyond, his brilliance, vision, and unshakable competitive fire will continue to light up the game. For City fans, though, Tuesday night was about saying thank you—to a player who didn’t just wear the shirt but helped redefine what it means to wear it.
And as for Micah Richards? He might want to tread carefully the next time he roasts a legend. Some misses are best left unmentioned.
