Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne: biography

Kevin De Bruyne is a Belgian professional footballer who is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. De Bruyne currently plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City. Also he is the captain of the Belgium national team.

Childhood and youth

Kevin De Bruyne was born on June 28, 1991, in Drongen, a small town in Belgium. From a young age, it was evident that he had a passion for football. He began playing for his local club, KVV Drongen, where his talents quickly caught the attention of scouts.

De Bruyne's youth career took off when he joined the famous Belgian club K.R.C. Genk in 2005 at the age of 14. He flourished in Genk's youth setup, showcasing his exceptional technical abilities, vision, and passing skills. He progressed through the ranks swiftly and made his senior debut for Genk in 2008 at the age of 17.

During his time at Genk, De Bruyne's performances were nothing short of impressive. He demonstrated his versatility and creativity as an attacking midfielder, attracting interest from various top clubs across Europe. His breakthrough season came in 2010-2011 when he played a crucial role in helping Genk win the Belgian Pro League title.

Football career

After making his professional debut at K.R.C. Genk, he quickly caught the attention of top European clubs and secured a move to Chelsea in 2012. Although his time at Chelsea was challenging, he showcased glimpses of his talent and was subsequently loaned out to Werder Bremen in Germany and VfL Wolfsburg.

It was during his spell at Wolfsburg that De Bruyne truly thrived. In the 2014-2015 Bundesliga season, he had a sensational campaign, registering 10 goals and a remarkable 21 assists, earning him the German Footballer of the Year award. His performances garnered attention from several top clubs, and in August 2015, he joined Manchester City for a then-club record fee.

At Manchester City, De Bruyne's impact was immediate and transformative. He quickly established himself as a key figure in the team's midfield, showcasing his extraordinary technical abilities, vision, and passing range. De Bruyne played a crucial role in Manchester City's success under manager Pep Guardiola, helping the team secure multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and League Cups. He played a pivotal role in Manchester City's historic 2017-2018 season when they secured the Premier League title with a record-breaking 100 points.

Individually, De Bruyne has received numerous accolades throughout his career. He has been named the PFA Players' Player of the Year, the Premier League Playmaker of the Season, and has been included in the PFA Team of the Year multiple times. His performances have also earned him nominations for the FIFA FIFPro World XI.

On the international stage, De Bruyne has been a key player for the Belgian national team. He has represented Belgium in major tournaments like the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup. In the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he played a pivotal role in helping Belgium reach the semi-finals, where they ultimately finished in third place.

On June 17, 2021, Kevin De Bruyne scored his first goal and the decisive winning goal for Belgium in their second match of UEFA Euro 2020, securing a 2-1 victory over Denmark. Prior to his goal, he also provided an assist for the team's first goal. However, during the round of 16 match against Portugal, De Bruyne suffered an ankle injury due to a tackle from behind by Portugal's Joao Palhinha. Despite not training for the entire week leading up to the quarter-final match, Belgium manager Roberto Martinez expressed optimism that De Bruyne could recover in time and confirmed his place in the starting line-up.

In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, De Bruyne started in all three of Belgium's group stage matches. Unfortunately, Belgium was eliminated from the tournament at the group stage.

Following Eden Hazard's retirement from international football, Kevin De Bruyne was appointed as the new captain of the Belgian national team on March 21, 2023.

Kevin De Bruyne's football career is defined by his exceptional skills, versatility, and impact on the game. His ability to create scoring opportunities, his eye for a killer pass, and his goal-scoring prowess have made him one of the best midfielders of his generation and a true force to be reckoned with in world football.

Personal life

De Bruyne is happily married to his long-time partner, Michèle Lacroix. The couple tied the knot in June 2017, and they have since welcomed three children together. Their first son, Mason Milian De Bruyne, was born in March 2016, followed by their second son, Rome De Bruyne, in October 2018. Their daughter, Suri De Bruyne, was born in September 2020.

De Bruyne's family plays a significant role in his life, and he often shares heartwarming moments with his wife and children on social media. Despite his busy schedule as a professional footballer, he values spending quality time with his family whenever possible.

Off the pitch, De Bruyne is known for his philanthropic endeavors. He has been actively involved in charitable initiatives, supporting causes such as children's health and education. He has also participated in fundraising events and campaigns to raise awareness and funds for various charitable organizations.

In terms of hobbies and interests, De Bruyne has a passion for music. He enjoys playing the piano and has shared videos of himself showcasing his musical talents on social media. He has also mentioned his interest in pursuing music as a career after retiring from football.

Honors

Kevin De Bruyne has an impressive list of honors throughout his career:

Club:

• K.R.C. Genk: Belgian Pro League (2010-11), Belgian Cup (2008-09), Belgian Super Cup (2011)
• VfL Wolfsburg: DFB-Pokal (2014-15), DFL-Supercup (2015)
• Manchester City: Premier League (2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22), FA Cup (2018-19), EFL Cup (2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21), FA Community Shield (2019), UEFA Champions League runner-up (2020-21)

International:

• Belgium: FIFA World Cup third place (2018)

Individual:

• Various awards such as Bundesliga Young Player of the Year, Bundesliga Player of the Year, Belgian Sportsman of the Year, FIFA FIFPro World 11, UEFA Team of the Year, and more.
• PFA Players' Player of the Year (2019-20, 2020-21), Premier League Playmaker of the Season (2017-18, 2019-20), Premier League Goal of the Month, Premier League Player of the Season, UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season, Ballon d'Or 3rd place (2022), and many more.