“I hope I have done that” – Kevin De Bruyne offers emotional reflection on life at Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has reflected with heartfelt emotion on his 10-year stay at the Etihad Stadium, speaking in his final competitive week with the club.

The 33-year-old bid an emotional farewell to the club’s Etihad Stadium support on Tuesday night in a ceremony and presentation organised by Manchester City, with video messages from colleagues past and present from his 10-year career in the North-West of England.

Standing alongside his three children and his wife Michele, De Bruyne was also handed a lifetime season ticket by Manchester City, signed memorabilia from his teammates, while also informed of the club’s plans to erect a statue of the Belgian outside of the Etihad Stadium.

It has been a remarkable journey for both player and club during their time at City, winning every single trophy available including record-breaking and history-defining moments such as four Premier League titles in a row or a maiden UEFA Champions League crown.

Now, speaking in his final week as a Manchester City player – amid an expectance to leave the club before the FIFA Club World Cup this summer – Kevin De Bruyne has reflected with emotion on his time at the Etihad Stadium over the last 10 years.

“I am proud of what we have done. When you come here you know that City has a chance of winning trophies. You don’t really think about how much you can win. You hope to win and then you hope to win again,” De Bruyne told the club’s website.

“After you can see all of the trophies that you have won, and you reflect on that. It has been amazing. I wanted to have a good time, and I wanted to entertain people. I wanted to play good football; I wanted to be positive in the way that I play and to enjoy myself,” he added.

“I think the way that I am is the way that I play. We do something that a lot of people wanted to do and I hope people are happy with the way that I played football.

“I work really hard to be the best football player, but I also want to enjoy my life with my family and friends because I am able to do that.

“It worked perfectly. My family life and my personal life worked really well in Manchester and it blended perfectly.  Everybody has different views, but I wanted to entertain people and enjoy it. I hope I have done that.”

For now, it remains to be seen where De Bruyne’s career will head next, although the current understanding in various quarters is that a future in English football away from Manchester City is not a possibility.

That revelation came after several reports indicated transfer interest from the likes of Aston Villa and Liverpool, although a move into Europe or further afield is deemed as more likely at this stage of his career.

Serie A side Napoli are believed to be offering an opportunity to remain at the summit of European football and an adventure into an area of Italy adored by the player and his wife, while The Chicago Fire have a proposal on the table to venture into the United States.