Kevin De Bruyne (Part 2)

His stellar performances earned him recognition on the longlist for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award on October 2, 2015, alongside teammates Agüero and Yaya Toure. Later that month, on October 20, he was named on the 23-man shortlist for the prestigious award by FIFA.
De Bruyne's impact was not limited to domestic competitions; he also played a crucial role in the UEFA Champions League. On October 21, 2015, he scored a dramatic injury-time winner against Sevilla, propelling Manchester City closer to the group leaders, Juventus.
Continuing his impressive form, De Bruyne scored crucial goals in important matches, including a brace against Hull City on December 1, 2015, securing Manchester City spot in the semi finals of the Football League Cup.


However, his season faced a setback when he sustained a knee injury during a League Cup semi-final victory over Everton on January 27, 2016. This injury sidelined him for two months, but he made a triumphant return on April 2, 2016, scoring a goal in a 4-0 win against Bournemouth.
De Bruyne's impact was felt once again in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg match against Paris Saint-Germain on April 6, 2016, where he scored the opening goal, helping Manchester City advance to the semi-finals for the first time in the club history.
His remarkable season continued with a crucial goal against Arsenal on May 8, 2016, although Manchester City Champions League qualification hopes were left uncertain after a draw in the match. Despite the outcome, De Bruyne's performances throughout the season solidified his status as one of the key players for Manchester City.


Kevin De Bruyne continued to showcase his talent and play a pivotal role for Manchester City in various matches.One of his standout performances came on September 10, 2016, in the first Manchester derby of the season against rivals Manchester United. De Bruyne scored a goal and provided an assist as City emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, earning himself the Man of the Match award.
Just a week later, on September 17, 2016, De Bruyne once again displayed his prowess, this time in a match against Bournemouth. He scored the opening goal, assisted another, and played a key role in the team's victory, earning another Man of the Match award.



Not all matches ended in victory for Manchester City. In a game against Everton on October 15, 2016, which ended in a 1-1 draw, both De Bruyne and Sergio Agüero missed penalties. Despite this, De Bruyne's contributions remained significant throughout the match.
One of the highlights of De Bruyne's season came on November 1, 2016, when he scored a crucial goal from a free kick in Manchester City's 3-1 victory over FC Barcelona.
In a match against Tottenham Hotspur on January 21, 2017, De Bruyne once again showcased his abilities by scoring a goal and providing an assist in a 2-2 draw. His performance earned him the Man of the Match award.


Another notable display from De Bruyne occurred on March 19, 2017, in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool. He delivered an excellent performance, setting up a goal for Agüero and contributing significantly to Manchester City's performance.
Throughout the season, De Bruyne's consistent performances and ability to influence matches were key factors in Manchester City's campaign, demonstrating his importance to the team.


Kevin De Bruyne continued to excel for Manchester City, contributing significantly to the team's success across various competitions.One of his standout performances came on September 9, 2017, in a match against Liverpool, where he set up goals for both Sergio Agüero and Gabriel Jesus in a resounding 5-0 victory.De Bruynes influence continued to be felt in subsequent matches. On September 16, he assisted Agüero in a 6-0 win over Watford, showcasing his ability to create opportunities for his teammates.
Scoring his first goal of the season on September 26 in a 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk, De Bruyne demonstrated his attacking prowess from midfield.


In a crucial fixture against his former club Chelsea on September 30, 2017, De Bruyne scored the only goal of the game, securing a vital 1-0 victory for Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Throughout the season, De Bruyne consistently delivered outstanding performances. He provided crucial assists in matches against Stoke City, Arsenal, and Leicester City, among others, contributing to Citys impressive results.
De Bruyne scored in a 2-1 win over Bristol City in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals, further showcasing his versatility and importance to the team.
His impact was recognized not only by fans but also by the club, as he signed a new longterm contract on January 22, 2018, keeping him at Manchester City until 2023.


De Bruynes contributions played a crucial role in Manchester City's success that season, including their victory in the EFL Cup final against Arsenal on February 25, 2018.
As the season progressed, De Bruyne continued to excel, providing assists and scoring goals in important matches, ultimately helping Manchester City secure the Premier League title with a record breaking 100 points.
For his outstanding performances and 16 assists in the league, De Bruyne was awarded the inaugural Premier League Playmaker of the Season award and was also voted into the PFA Team of the Year. Additionally, he was named Manchester City Player of the Season, further cementing his status as one of the top midfielders in the world.


Kevin De Bruyne faced a series of setbacks due to injuries during the 2018-2019 season.
On August 15, 2018, De Bruyne suffered a knee injury during a training session, sparking concerns about his availability for the upcoming matches. Subsequent reports suggested that he could be sidelined for up to three months.
Two days later, Manchester City confirmed that De Bruyne had indeed sustained a lesion of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. Fortunately, no surgery was required, but he was expected to be out of action for three months.


After a period of recovery, De Bruyne returned to action in October 2018. However, his comeback was short-lived as he suffered another knee ligament injury during the fourth round of the EFL Cup against Fulham. Initially expected to be out for 5-6 weeks, De Bruyne surprised everyone by resuming full training after only three weeks.
Despite these setbacks, De Bruyne made a significant impact when he returned to the pitch. He played a crucial role in the FA Cup final against Watford, coming on as a substitute and making a significant contribution. De Bruyne scored a goal and provided two assists, helping Manchester City secure victory and clinch the first-ever domestic treble in English men's football. His outstanding performance earned him the Man of the Match award, highlighting his importance to the team despite the challenges he faced due to injuries.

References

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