Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for the Belgium national team and Premier League side Manchester City. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, with many pundits describing him as a ‘complete footballer’. His greatest asset is his propensity to garner assists with his composure in the final third unrivaled. In addition, he boasts of exemplary vision on the ball and can spot passes others can't see.

Early Life

Kevin De Bruyne was born on June 28, 1991, in Ghent, Belgium. From a young age, De Bruyne showed a natural talent for football, and he began playing for local club KVV Drongen when he was just four years old. He later moved to Gent, where he joined the youth academy of KAA Gent.

De Bruyne's skills on the pitch quickly caught the attention of scouts from other clubs, and at the age of 14, he was offered a place at Genk's youth academy, which he accepted. He moved to Genk with his family and began training with the club's youth teams while continuing his education at a local high school.

Club Career

De Bruyne made his professional debut for KRC Genk in 2008 at the age of 17. He played for Genk for four seasons, helping the team win the Belgian Pro League in 2010-2011. In his final season with the club, De Bruyne was named the Belgian Footballer of the Year.

In January 2012, De Bruyne signed for Chelsea, but he was immediately loaned back to Genk for the remainder of the season. He joined Chelsea ahead of the 2012-2013 season but struggled to break into the first team. He was loaned out to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga for the 2012-2013 season and then to VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga for the 2013-2014 season.

He was sold to Wolfsburg ahead of the 2014-15 season. It was at the German club where De Bruyne burst onto the scene, he became a world-beater with every top European club looking for his signature. He won two domestic trophies and scored 20 goals in 73 appearances during his time in Germany.

Manchester City won the race and forked out a reported fee of £55 million (€75 million) for his services. Since joining City in 2015, Kevin De Bruyne has raised his game and is now considered one of the best players of this generation.

The Belgian international has been sensational for Manchester City as he has played a pivotal role in his team's domestic success. With the guidance of City manager Pep Guardiola, De Bruyne has won 4 Premier League titles, 5 Carabao Cups, and an FA cup for the Cityzens. He was also selected twice as the Player of the Year for City. He has amassed 343 appearances, scoring 92 goals.

International Career

De Bruyne made his debut for the senior Belgian national team in August 2010 in a friendly against Finland. He was included in the Belgian squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he played in all five of Belgium's matches and helped the team reach the quarter-finals.

De Bruyne played a key role for Belgium at the 2016 UEFA European Championship, scoring a goal and providing two assists in the team's run to the quarter-finals. He also featured in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, helping the team finish in third place. He scored one goal and provided two assists in the tournament, including a stunning strike against Brazil in the quarter-finals.

He also played in the 2020 UEFA European Championship where Belgium bowed out at the quarter-finals again. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he had a tournament to forget after Belgium were knocked out in the group stage.

On March 21, 2023, De Bruyne was announced as Belgium's new captain, following the international retirement of Eden Hazard.

Records

• In the 2019-2020 Premier League season, De Bruyne provided 20 assists, breaking the previous record of 19 assists set by Thierry Henry.De Bruyne reached 50 Premier League assists in just 123 appearances, making him the fastest player to achieve this milestone.

• In the 2017-2018 season, De Bruyne created 106 chances for his teammates, breaking the previous record of 96 chances created by Mesut Ozil in the Premier League.

• In 2017, De Bruyne provided 16 assists in the Premier League, setting a new record for the most assists in a calendar year.

• De Bruyne provided four assists in a single Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur in December 2017, becoming only the second player in the league's history to achieve this feat.

Awards and Achievements

Personal Life

De Bruyne is actively involved in philanthropic activities and has supported various causes throughout his career. He is an ambassador for SOS Children's Villages Belgium and has donated money to help build a village in Dakar, Senegal.

Outside of football, De Bruyne enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. He is also an avid fan of American football and supports the Carolina Panthers.

Net Worth

As of 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around $60 million.

Family

De Bruyne is the son of Herwig and Anna De Bruyne. He has two younger sisters named Stefanie and Tineke.

Wife

De Bruyne is married to Michele Lacroix, a former professional track and field athlete from Belgium. They got married in 2017 and have two sons together, named Mason Milian and Rome.

Houses

De Bruyne purchased a £3.5 million mansion in Cheshire, England, in 2018. The house is located in the countryside and has a modern design with six bedrooms, a gym, a cinema room, and a swimming pool.

De Bruyne owns a luxurious apartment in the city center of Manchester, which he purchased in 2015. The apartment has three bedrooms, a large living room, and a balcony with a stunning view of the city.

He owns a beautiful holiday home in the Costa Blanca region of Spain. The property has five bedrooms, a private pool, and a large terrace with breathtaking sea views.

He also owns an investment property in his hometown of Ghent, Belgium. The property is currently rented out to tenants.