11 fun facts about Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne, is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and captain for both Manchester City in the Premier League and the Belgium national team. He is widely recognized as one of the top players of his era and among the finest midfielders globally. Experts have hailed him as a well-rounded footballer….
Kevin De Bruyne, is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and captain for both Manchester City in the Premier League and the Belgium national team. He is widely recognized as one of the top players of his era and among the finest midfielders globally. Experts have hailed him as a well-rounded footballer.
De Bruyne kicked off his senior career at Genk, contributing significantly to their 2010–11 Belgian Pro League victory. After a stint at Chelsea in 2012, he moved to Werder Bremen on loan. His transfer to Wolfsburg in 2014 for £18 million saw him excel in the Bundesliga, playing a key role in the club’s 2014–15 DFB-Pokal triumph.
In 2015, Manchester City acquired De Bruyne for a then-club record fee of £54 million. Since his international debut in 2010, he has earned over 90 caps for Belgium, scoring 26 goals. De Bruyne played a crucial role in Belgium’s quarter-final appearances at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016.
He was selected for the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2018, where Belgium secured third place. De Bruyne has also featured in UEFA Euro 2020 and is set to participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Below are 10 interesting facts about him.
1. Has an autobiography
In October 2014, Borgerhoff & Lamberigts released Kevin De Bruyne’s autobiography titled ‘Keep it simple’, which he co-wrote.
2. Has his own clothing line
Back in 2014, De Bruyne embarked on a new venture by launching his very own clothing line, ‘KDB’, in collaboration with the renowned fashion brand Cult Eleven.
What makes this clothing line even more special is that a portion of the profits goes towards supporting the Special Olympics, an organization close to De Bruyne’s heart.
His dedication to this cause has been evident throughout his career, as he has actively worked with the Special Olympics to make a positive impact.
3. A Liverpool Fan with a Liverpool idol
De Bruyne’s affinity for Liverpool can largely be attributed to his Grandfather’s fondness for the Merseyside club. As a young Belgian player in the Genk academy, De Bruyne expressed his admiration for Liverpool and his idol, the legendary Anfield striker Michael Owen.
In an interview, an eleven-year-old De Bruyne confessed,”My favourite club is Liverpool and my favourite player is Michael Owen. I would love to play there one day.”
4. His breakthrough season
During the 2014/15 season, the Belgian player had a remarkable year, netting 16 goals and providing 28 assists in various competitions for Wolfsburg. He successfully guided his team to win the DFB Pokal, achieve a second-place finish in the Bundesliga, and reach the quarterfinals of the Europa League.
His outstanding performance earned him the prestigious title of Bundesliga Player of the Season, as well as the league’s highest assist provider. Additionally, he was recognized for his exceptional skills by being included in the Europa League Squad of the Season.
5. Nicknamed ‘Ginger Pele’
Some fans and media outlets have dubbed De Bruyne with the nickname “Ginger Pele” due to his red hair and football skills. The term “Ginger” highlights his hair color, while “Pele” pays homage to the legendary Brazilian footballer known as one of the best in history. De Bruyne has openly embraced the nickname in various interviews, showing gratitude for being likened to Pele.
6. He’s multilingual
De Bruyne is proficient in multiple languages. He is a Dutch native speaker and is also fluent in English, French, and German. Moreover, he has a decent grasp of Spanish, which he is continuously enhancing.
7. Manchester City’s club record signing
Manchester City was compelled to spend a significant amount in 2015 to acquire him from Wolfsburg due to his outstanding performance, setting a club-record transfer fee of €75m. The record was surpassed in the 2021/22 season with the signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for €117m .
8. 2015 Belgian Sportsman of the Year
In 2015, De Bruyne was honored with the prestigious Belgian Sportsman of the Year award. This esteemed accolade is presented each year to the most outstanding Belgian athlete across all sports, acknowledging their remarkable accomplishments and significant contributions to the world of sports.
9. Has won Premier League Player of the year award twice
De Bruyne has been honored with the Premier League Player of the Year accolade on two occasions during his career, specifically in the 2019-2020 and 2021/22 seasons.
In the 2019-2020 season, De Bruyne played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s journey to becoming runners-up in the Premier League, securing victory in the League Cup, and advancing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
In the 2021/22 season, de Bruyne contributed significantly to his team’s triumph in clinching the Premier League title.
10. He has a foundation
Throughout his career, De Bruyne has actively participated in numerous charitable endeavors. In 2020, he took a significant step by establishing the “Kevin De Bruyne Foundation” with the aim of providing assistance and empowerment to underprivileged children and young individuals in Belgium and across the globe.
The foundation’s primary focus lies in the areas of education, health, and personal development, collaborating with diverse organizations to extend support to those in need within the younger generation.
11. Loves birdwatching
De Bruyne is a huge fan of birdwatching and is deeply committed to conservation efforts. He also serves as an ambassador for the largest bird sanctuary in Walsrode, Germany.
He said, “I hope I can help the plight of endangered species of birds and that I can bring more attention through my sponsorship.”
