Kevin De Bruyne will return to the Etihad Stadium as a visiting player for the first time since leaving Manchester City in the summer of 2025. During his decade at the club, the Belgian midfielder produced countless memorable performances at the ground. Here are some of the most iconic.
On 22 May 2022, with City trailing Aston Villa 2-0 and the title slipping away, De Bruyne produced a trademark piercing run and pinpoint cross for Ilkay Gündogan to score the winner in a 3-2 victory that secured the Premier League. Three years later, on 12 April 2025, just days after announcing his departure, he captained City to a 5-2 win over Crystal Palace, scoring and assisting Mateo Kovacic's goal.
De Bruyne's debut on 15 September 2015, a 2-1 loss to West Ham, hinted at his future greatness. He controlled proceedings and showcased a burst of pace that set him apart. In the 2022-23 treble-winning season, his two goals and an assist in a 4-1 thrashing of Arsenal on 26 April 2023 proved crucial in the title race.
His final home appearance on 20 May 2025 saw City beat Bournemouth 3-1. Despite missing an open goal, De Bruyne received a standing ovation and said: 'I wanted to play with creativity, I wanted to play with passion... it's an honour to play with these guys.' Earlier moments include a vital goal and assist in the 2016 Carabao Cup semi-final before a knee injury derailed City's season, a stunning solo goal against Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2017 Champions League, and a two-goal return from injury in a 7-0 win over Leeds in 2021.
