New Delhi: Kevin De Bruyne’s final home game for Manchester City was always going to be special but Tuesday night turned out to be even more emotional than expected. From missed chances to heartfelt tributes, the Etihad Stadium gave a memorable send-off to one of its greatest ever players.
The Belgian midfielder played his last game at the Etihad in City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth. Although it wasn’t a perfect performance from the playmaker as he missed a big first-half chance and was subbed off after Mateo Kovacic’s red card but the love and gratitude shown by fans, teammates, and his manager made it a night to remember.
A night full of tributes and emotions
Everything around the stadium screamed De Bruyne. Fans wore shirts and scarves with his name while the matchday programme featured a mock image of him with a crown fitting for someone widely regarded as the “King” of City’s midfield.
💙👋🏻 Man City fans pay tribute to Kevin De Bruyne on his final home appearance! pic.twitter.com/2wU2kdSbFc
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 20, 2025
Ahead of the game, the club confirmed plans to honour him with a statue outside the Etihad. They also named a road after him at the club’s academy and unveiled a mosaic. In Manchester’s Northern Quarter, a mural celebrating his legacy was painted- one that perfectly reflects the artistry he has displayed on the pitch for nearly a decade.
The match itself didn’t offer a fairy tale ending. The moment everyone had been waiting for was seeing De Bruyne score one last time in front of home crowd, and the moment did come when he was handed an open goal just yards out but in a rare mishap he scooped the ball onto the bar, leaving fans and players equally stunned. “It’s terrible. No excuses,” De Bruyne admitted post-match, joking that his son would be hard on him for that miss.
Guardiola’s tears say it all
When the final whistle blew, the real goodbye began. A video montage featuring legends like Aguero, Kompany, and Zabaleta played on the stadium screen. De Bruyne walked out with his family, received a guard of honour, and took centre stage for a speech that brought even Pep Guardiola to tears.
Our Kev 🩵 pic.twitter.com/hv3wkUYrbG
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 20, 2025
“It’s a sad day,” said Guardiola. “He will be missed, no doubt about that.” The manager didn’t hold back his admiration, calling De Bruyne the second-best passer he’s coached, only behind Lionel Messi.
The fans chanted “We want you to stay,” but it was clear this chapter was closing. De Bruyne responded with grace and gratitude. “I wanted to play with passion, with creativity. I hope you all enjoyed it,” he told the crowd.
A legacy carved in City history
De Bruyne’s numbers speak volumes about why he is regarded so much. Watching the 33-year-old star in the midfield is a pure delight to the eyes. Since his debut in 2015, he has made 283 Premier League appearances, scored 72 goals, and delivered 119 assists, just behind Ryan Giggs in the all-time list. With 843 chances created has been the league’s most productive playmaker by a long way.
His final league appearance at the Etihad was his 142nd, second only to David Silva in terms of home games for City in the Premier League. He leaves with 16 trophies and a place in the hearts of every City fan.
When asked about what City meant to him, De Bruyne called it “home” and “family”, adding that his kids were now “Manc”.
Who fills the void now?
As De Bruyne prepares for his next move, City face the massive challenge of replacing him. Florian Wirtz was reportedly a target, but rising costs may have ruled him out. Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White is also said to be under consideration.
Internally, attention turns to Phil Foden and Jack Grealish. They both have a golden opportunity to grab as Rodri is also back after an eight-month injury gap. But filling De Bruyne’s shoes won’t be easy.
De Bruyne leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to match, but for now, Manchester City and its supporters can simply say thank you for the memories, the magic, and everything in between.
Kevin De Bruyne received an emotional farewell at the Etihad, as fans, teammates, and Guardiola paid tribute to a Manchester City legend’s final home game. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
