Kevin De Bruyne’s glittering decade with Manchester City seems headed for a quiet exit, with the Belgian midfielder saying he’ll “probably” skip the upcoming Club World Cup to keep away from harm – simply weeks earlier than his contract ends.
The 33-year-old playmaker, whose deal runs by way of June 30, informed reporters after City’s FA Cup ultimate loss that risking harm on the revamped 32-team match within the U.S. would jeopardize his post-City future.
“I have to take care of myself,” De Bruyne mentioned. “If I get injured at the Club World Cup, what am I going to do? No one’s going to take care of me at that point.”
City are set to open their marketing campaign in opposition to Morocco’s Wydad AC on June 18 in Philadelphia. But De Bruyne, who joined City in 2015 and helped the membership to 6 Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, and final 12 months’s Club World Cup, made it clear he’s weighing self-preservation over one final run in sky blue.
“It doesn’t make sense,” he mentioned. “You’re pushing a new tournament in the middle of contract situations. I’m just a player. I don’t make the rules.”
His feedback adopted City’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Wembley – a loss that denied Pep Guardiola’s facet a second home cup this season and secured Palace’s first main trophy.
While the Belgian playmaker’s focus seems to be shifting towards his subsequent vacation spot, he hasn’t dominated out staying within the Premier League.
Asked if he’d choose to stay in England, De Bruyne mentioned: “I don’t know. It depends who comes. I have a family and young kids – it has to be a decision that suits everyone, not just me. When I was 20 and alone, decisions were easier.”
The Club World Cup runs from June 14 to July 13 and overlaps with two summer time switch home windows. The first, a FIFA-created window from June 1–10, permits short-term participant registrations for groups within the match. The primary switch interval opens June 16 and closes September 1.
Despite a silverless season, De Bruyne mirrored with pleasure on his City profession.
“It’s not been the season we wanted. But that doesn’t change what we’ve done in 10 years,” he mentioned. “Compared to a lot of players, I’ve won way more than most. I’ll always be happy and grateful.”
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