Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne, the midfielder who defined an era at Manchester City, is leaving the Etihad after more than a decade — and the football world can't stop talking about what comes next.
Kevin De Bruyne is a Belgian professional footballer born on 28 June 1991 in Drongen, Belgium. Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, he spent the peak years of his career at Manchester City, where he became the creative engine behind Pep Guardiola’s historically dominant sides. His vision, passing range, and ability to dictate tempo from deep made him a benchmark by which other midfielders are measured.
De Bruyne joined Manchester City from Wolfsburg in 2015 for around £55 million — a fee that looks like a bargain in hindsight. During his time at the Etihad, he collected multiple Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League, completing the treble. Injuries disrupted the last couple of seasons, but his quality whenever fit remained undeniable, and he was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice.
People search for De Bruyne constantly because he sits at the intersection of several massive stories: his impending departure from Man City, reported interest from clubs including Napoli, his long injury comeback, and ongoing debates about his place among the all-time greats. Any transfer rumour involving him instantly becomes one of the most-clicked stories in football.
It is important to note that transfer news, contract details, and destination specifics are fast-moving. The answers below reflect what is widely reported and publicly confirmed as of mid-2025 — always cross-check the latest from reliable outlets for breaking updates.
People also ask
- What happened to Kevin De Bruyne?#
- De Bruyne endured a brutal run of muscular and knee injuries between 2023 and 2025 that limited him to a fraction of games during what should have been his peak final seasons at City. Despite that, he returned to form in patches and confirmed he would leave Manchester City when his contract expired at the end of the 2024–25 season, closing a defining chapter of his career.
- How much is kevin de bruyne salary?#
- De Bruyne's salary at Manchester City was widely reported to be in the region of £400,000 per week, making him one of the highest-paid players in Premier League history. Exact figures for any new contract elsewhere have not been officially confirmed, so treat any specific numbers circulating online as estimates until a club announcement is made.
- Who is kevin de bruyne's wife?#
- Kevin De Bruyne married Michele Lacroix in June 2017. She is a Belgian lawyer and they have been together for many years before formalising their relationship. They have three children together.
- Who is kevin de bruyne's wife now?#
- His wife is still Michele Lacroix — there is no credible public reporting of any change in their relationship status. They remain married and have built their family life largely in Manchester during his City years.
- What's kevin de bruyne net worth?#
- No verified, official figure for De Bruyne's net worth exists in the public domain — celebrity net worth sites publish estimates, but these are guesses, not audited facts. What is verifiable is that he earned elite-level wages (reported ~£400k/week) for roughly a decade at City, plus endorsement income, placing his accumulated wealth firmly in the multi-tens-of-millions range. Treat any specific number you see online as an informed estimate, not a confirmed figure.
- Where's kevin de bruyne going next season?#
- As of mid-2025, Naples is the destination most heavily linked in credible football media, with Napoli reported to be in serious talks to sign him as a free agent. No transfer has been officially confirmed by either the player or a club, so watch for an official announcement before treating any report as done.
- How old kevin de bruyne?#
- Kevin De Bruyne was born on 28 June 1991, making him 33 years old as of mid-2025, turning 34 later in June 2025.
- How tall kevin de bruyne?#
- Kevin De Bruyne stands 181 cm tall (1.81 m). That is listed consistently across his official club and international profiles.
- How tall is kevin de bruyne in feet?#
- 181 cm converts to approximately 5 feet 11 inches (5'11"). He is above average height for a midfielder, which contributes to his physical presence in duels.
- Why is Kevin De Bruyne leaving?#
- Manchester City chose not to offer De Bruyne a contract extension on terms that matched his level, partly because of his age (mid-30s approaching) and his significant injury history in recent seasons. From De Bruyne's side, running down his contract and leaving as a free agent gives him full control and likely a large signing-on fee at his next destination — a rational move at 33.
- Why is kevin de bruyne going to napoli?#
- Napoli represent one of the most ambitious projects in European football right now, are flush with investment, and can offer him a high-profile stage in Serie A without the pressure of Champions League contention that City demanded every single year. The financial package available to a free agent of his stature — no transfer fee to pay — makes the deal attractive for both sides. Nothing is officially signed as of mid-2025, but the links are persistent and credible.
- How much kevin de bruyne worth?#
- In transfer market terms, De Bruyne's contractual value at Man City is zero — he is leaving as a free agent, meaning no club pays a transfer fee. His footballing quality still commands massive wages; his commercial and personal net worth is estimated in the tens of millions but no audited public figure exists.
- Where is De Bruyne moving to?#
- Napoli is the most consistently reported destination across major football media outlets as of mid-2025. Saudi Pro League clubs have also been mentioned in passing, but the Italian connection appears far stronger. Official confirmation from the player or a club is the only thing that makes it fact.
- Is Kevin De Bruyne going to retire?#
- No — at 33, De Bruyne has made no public announcement of retirement and is actively pursuing a new club contract. Retiring now would be extremely early by modern midfielder standards; players like Luka Modrić have competed at the top past 38. Expect at least two to three more competitive seasons from him.
- Has De Bruyne left Man City yet?#
- Yes — De Bruyne's contract with Manchester City expired at the end of the 2024–25 season, and the club confirmed there would be no renewal. He departed the Etihad as a free agent after a decade with the club. Whether he has signed anywhere new depends on when you're reading this — check the latest news.
- Why did Man City let De Bruyne go?#
- City's decision was rooted in cold-eyed squad management: De Bruyne is 33, suffered repeated serious injuries, and extending a £400k/week contract for a player entering his mid-30s carries enormous financial risk. Pep Guardiola's City has always been willing to move on from legendary players — David Silva, Sergio Agüero, Fernandinho — rather than overpay for sentiment. This is the same logic applied to KDB.
- Who does Kevin De Bruyne prefer, Messi or Ronaldo?#
- De Bruyne has publicly stated he considers Lionel Messi the best player he has ever played against, citing the Argentine's unique ability to make the game look effortless. He has not made a habit of ranking the two against each other, but his praise for Messi in multiple interviews is on the record and notably warmer than any comments about Ronaldo.
- Who abandoned Kevin De Bruyne?#
- This likely references Manchester City's decision not to renew his contract — a move many fans and pundits described as the club "letting go" of its greatest modern player. In a literal, personal sense, nobody publicly "abandoned" De Bruyne; the City departure was a mutual and contractual conclusion rather than a dramatic falling out.
- Is Kevin De Bruyne returning?#
- No credible reporting suggests De Bruyne is returning to any former club such as Genk, Chelsea, or Wolfsburg. The move being discussed is a fresh chapter at a new club, most prominently Napoli. A sentimental return to Genk to wind down his career one day is conceivable, but that is pure speculation — nothing confirmed.
- Is De Bruyne returning to Etihad?#
- No — there is no credible reporting of a Man City return. The club did not offer him a new deal and has moved on in terms of midfield planning. A fairy-tale one-game return for a testimonial is theoretically possible down the line, but a playing comeback to the Etihad is not on the table based on anything publicly known.