Toni Kroos left a classy message for De Bruyne after the Belgian shocked fans with an exit announcement.
It's officially the end of an era for arguably one of the greatest players to ever grace the Premier League.
After a decade of orchestrating the Manchester City midfield with magnificence and genius, Kevin De Bruyne has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season.
In a statement posted to his official social media pages, the 33-year-old Belgian star addressed the Manchester City faithful directly, writing:
"Dear Manchester. Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading. So I'll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player," the 33-year-old began in an emotional statement.
"Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here - and you deserve to hear it from me first.
"Football led me to all you and - and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people... gave me EVERYTHING back! And guess what - we won EVERYTHING.
"Whether we like it or not, it's time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family. 'Manchester' will forever be on our kids' passports - and more importantly, in each of our hearts.
"This will always be our HOME. We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends and family enough for this 10-year ride.
"Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let's enjoy these last moments together! Much love, Kevin."
De Bruyne's emotional message sent shockwaves through the footballing world, triggering an avalanche of reactions from teammates, pundits and fans.
But one tribute stood out; from none other than that of Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos, who simply quoted his statement on X (formerly Twitter): "Special player. Congrats!"
The subtle yet powerful message came from a worthy rival.
De Bruyne and Kroos, who retired in 2023, shared countless midfield battles from the Bundesliga to Champions League nights and even World Cup stages.
A glittering legacy cemented in sky blue
Signed from Wolfsburg in 2015, De Bruyne's Manchester City career has been nothing short of iconic.
KDB won a remarkable six Premier League titles, five EFL Cups, two FA Cups, two Community Shields, and a coveted Champions League trophy.
Individually, the stats back up his genius: four-time City Player of the Year, three-time Premier League Playmaker of the Year, and two-time Premier League Player of the Year.
De Bruyne's vision, technique and leadership have not just shaped City's dominance as he has also redefined the midfield role itself.
As the curtain begins to fall, football fans are left to savour these final moments of one of the Premier League's all-time greats.
Comments