Pep Guardiola was visibly emotional as he paid tribute to Kevin De Bruyne during the Belgian midfielder's farewell ceremony at the Etihad Stadium. The Manchester City manager was seen in tears following their 3–1 win over Bournemouth, marking De Bruyne’s final home appearance for the club.
De Bruyne, who is set to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, received an outpouring of appreciation from fans, teammates, and the club’s hierarchy. Guardiola, moved by the moment, said, “A part of us is leaving. It’s a sad day, but also a happy one because of the pleasure we had working with him.”
The night featured a heartfelt send-off, including a guard of honor, a dazzling light show, and tribute videos from former teammates like Sergio Agüero and Vincent Kompany. De Bruyne, 33, was emotional himself, pausing during his post-match interview to compose himself.
During his time at Manchester City, De Bruyne won six Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League, two FA Cups, five League Cups, and a Club World Cup. In recognition of his contributions, the club announced it will honor him with a statue outside the stadium and name a street after him at their academy complex.
Although he missed a rare chance in front of goal during the match, De Bruyne’s legacy remained the highlight of the evening. Goals from Omar Marmoush, Bernardo Silva, and Nico González sealed the victory for City, who edge closer to Champions League qualification.
De Bruyne concluded his farewell by thanking supporters and reflecting on his time at the club, saying, “This club, these people... gave me everything. I had no choice but to give everything back.” His final game for Manchester City is expected to be the upcoming fixture against Fulham, drawing the curtain on an extraordinary chapter in the club’s history.
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