Manchester City gave Kevin De Bruyne a fitting send-off at the Etihad Stadium with a commanding 3-1 win over Bournemouth on May 20, 2025. The Belgian midfielder, one of the club’s all-time greats, played his final home game after 10 historic years with City.
Emotional Scenes as De Bruyne Leads City One Last Time
From the moment he stepped onto the pitch, the night belonged to Kevin De Bruyne. The Etihad crowd unveiled a massive tifo reading “King Kev,” a tribute to his decade-long service that included six Premier League titles and a Champions League crown.
Captaining the side for his 421st appearance, De Bruyne nearly marked the occasion with a goal but struck the crossbar in the first half. He was substituted in the 69th minute to a standing ovation from fans and players alike, visibly emotional as he waved goodbye.
Manchester City Dominate with Flair
Manchester City showed their class throughout the match. Omar Marmoush opened the scoring with a thunderous 30-yard strike in the 14th minute. Bernardo Silva added another before halftime, while Nico González sealed the win in the 89th minute.
Bournemouth managed a late consolation goal, but the result was never in question. With this win, City moved into third place in the Premier League table, boosting their Champions League qualification hopes.
A Farewell Fit for a Legend
After the final whistle, De Bruyne received a hero’s send-off — a guard of honor, a tribute video, and the announcement of a statue in his honor to be placed outside the Etihad. Fans chanted, “We want you to stay,” as Pep Guardiola and teammates embraced the emotional midfielder.
De Bruyne said in his farewell speech: “Manchester is home. We’ve won everything, and I hope I brought joy to you all.”
De Bruyne’s City Legacy in Numbers:
- 421 appearances
- 108 goals
- 177 assists
- 6 Premier League titles
- 1 Champions League
- 2 FA Cups
- 5 League Cups
What’s Next for De Bruyne?
While De Bruyne has not yet confirmed his next move, speculation continues about a potential switch to MLS or Saudi Arabia. Regardless of where he goes, his Manchester City legacy is cemented as one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history.
Stay tuned for more updates as Manchester City prepare for their final league fixture and a new chapter begins without their iconic No. 17.
