Kevin De Bruyne, the versatile attacking midfielder from Belgium, has become a household name in the world of football. Known for his exceptional vision, precise passing and deadly shooting abilities, De Bruyne has established himself as one of the best players in the highly competitive Premier League. His rise to stardom has been nothing short of remarkable, with him shattering records, winning accolades and consistently performing at the highest level for both club and country.

In this article, we will take a deep dive into the life and career of Kevin De Bruyne. From his humble beginnings in Belgium to becoming Manchester City’s key player, we will explore the various stages of his journey and understand what makes him such a special talent on the field. So, let’s buckle up and get ready to learn everything there is to know about the rise of Kevin De Bruyne.

Early Life and Career in Belgium

Beginnings at Genk

Born on June 28th, 1991, in Ghent, Belgium, Kevin De Bruyne showed signs of his footballing abilities at a very young age. He joined his local club KVV Drongen at the age of four and spent six years honing his skills before moving to Genk’s youth academy in 2005. It was here that Kevin De Bruyne’s talents were truly nurtured, and he quickly emerged as one of the standout performers in the academy.

In 2008, at the age of 17, De Bruyne made his professional debut for Genk and went on to make 16 appearances in his debut season. However, it wasn’t until the following season that he truly announced himself to the world. In the 2010-11 campaign, Kevin De Bruyne scored five goals and provided an impressive 16 assists as he helped Genk win the Belgian Pro League title. His performances caught the eye of bigger clubs, and he was soon on his way to a new challenge in Europe.

Kevin De Bruyne, born on June 28th, 1991, in Ghent, Belgium, displayed his footballing talents from a young age

Move to Chelsea

In January 2012, Kevin De Bruyne signed for Chelsea in a deal worth around £7 million. He initially joined the club’s reserve team, but it didn’t take long for him to make his mark. He scored a hat-trick in a Premier Reserve League game against West Bromwich Albion and then made his first-team debut in September 2012 in a League Cup match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, De Bruyne struggled to make an impact in the first team, and after just nine appearances for Chelsea, he was sent out on loan to German side Werder Bremen for the remainder of the season. This turned out to be a crucial move for De Bruyne as he finally got the regular playing time, he needed to showcase his abilities.

Breakthrough at Wolfsburg

Dominating the Bundesliga

During his loan spell at Werder Bremen, Kevin De Bruyne caught the attention of Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, who signed him on a five-year contract in January 2014. It proved to be a masterstroke by Wolfsburg, as De Bruyne quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league.

In his first full season with the club, De Bruyne scored 10 goals and provided 21 assists in all competitions, guiding Wolfsburg to a second-place finish in the Bundesliga and winning the German Footballer of the Year award. He continued his impressive form in the following season, scoring 16 goals and making 27 assists in all competitions, which helped Wolfsburg secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League.

Recognition and Awards

De Bruyne’s performances for Wolfsburg didn’t go unnoticed, and he was soon receiving recognition from all corners of the footballing world. In 2015, he was included in the UEFA Team of the Year as well as being named in the FIFA Ballon d’Or shortlist for the first time. He also won the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season award that year, cementing himself as one of the best players in Germany.

The Move to Manchester City

Record Transfer

In August 2015, Manchester City paid a whopping £55 million to bring Kevin De Bruyne back to the Premier League. It was a record transfer fee for a Belgian player at the time and showed how highly the club valued his talents. Many questioned whether De Bruyne would be able to replicate his success in Germany, but he quickly silenced them with his performances on the field.

In August 2015, Manchester City spent a substantial £55 million to bring Kevin De Bruyne back to the Premier League

Establishing Himself as a Key Player

De Bruyne’s first season with Manchester City was a successful one, as he scored 16 goals and provided 21 assists in all competitions. He became an integral part of the team, with his creativity and ability to change games earning him praise from fans and pundits alike. In the following season, De Bruyne continued to excel, scoring 13 goals and providing 20 assists as Manchester City finished third in the Premier League.

However, it was in the 2017-18 season that Kevin De Bruyne truly established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League. He played a crucial role in Manchester City’s record-breaking campaign, scoring 12 goals and making 21 assists as the club won the Premier League with a staggering 100 points. His performances earned him numerous accolades, including the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award and the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award.

International Career

Early Days with Belgium

Kevin De Bruyne made his international debut for Belgium in 2010, playing in a friendly against Finland. He was then named in the squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup but struggled to make an impact as Belgium were knocked out in the quarterfinals. However, he continued to be a key player for Belgium, helping them qualify for the 2016 UEFA European Championship.

Unfortunately, De Bruyne missed out on the tournament due to injury, but he returned to the national team in style, scoring three goals and providing four assists in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Success and Disappointment at the World Cup

The 2018 FIFA World Cup was arguably the pinnacle of Kevin De Bruyne’s international career so far. He scored one goal and provided four assists as Belgium reached the semi-finals for only the second time in their history. His performances earned him a spot in the FIFA World Cup Dream Team, further cementing his status as one of the best players in the world.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for De Bruyne as he suffered disappointment in the 2020 UEFA European Championship qualifiers. A loss to Switzerland in the last game meant that Belgium failed to qualify for the tournament, and De Bruyne will be hoping to make amends in the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Playing Style and Strengths

Kevin De Bruyne’s unique playing style has made him a vital player for both club and country. He is primarily known for his attacking abilities, with his vision, passing range and deadly finishing making him a nightmare for opposition defenses. He is also blessed with excellent technical skills, which allow him to control the ball with ease and execute precise through balls and crosses.

One of Kevin De Bruyne’s greatest strengths is his versatility. He is comfortable playing in various positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield, and even as a winger. This makes him a crucial asset for managers, who can use him in different roles depending on the team’s needs.

He is mainly recognized for his offensive skills, where his vision, passing range, and lethal finishing pose a significant challenge to opposing defenses

Achievements and Records

Kevin De Bruyne has won numerous accolades throughout his career, both at club and international level. Some of his most notable achievements include:

• 2x Premier League Champion (2018, 2019)
• PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2018)
• Premier League Playmaker of the Season (2018)
• German Footballer of the Year (2015)
• 2x Bundesliga Player of the Season (2014, 2015)
• FIFA World Cup Dream Team (2018)
• Belgian Pro League Champion (2011)

Kevin De Bruyne has also broken several records during his career, including providing the most assists in a single Premier League season (20) and becoming the first player to reach double figures in both goals and assists in three consecutive seasons in the league.

Conclusion

In just a decade since making his professional debut, Kevin De Bruyne has achieved what many players can only dream of. He has gone from being a talented youngster at Genk to becoming one of the best players in the world. His remarkable rise to stardom serves as an inspiration to young footballers everywhere, and there is no doubt that he will continue to achieve great success in the years to come.

With his exceptional skills, versatile playing style, and winning mentality, Kevin De Bruyne is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. As he continues to lead Manchester City’s quest for glory and aims to help Belgium secure their maiden World Cup title, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this incredible footballer.