Kevin De Bruyne’s much-anticipated return to the Etihad Stadium was unexpectedly brief on Thursday, as the Napoli midfielder was substituted just 26 minutes into his side’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Manchester City.
The 33-year-old, who left City last summer after a decade of service, was forced off when manager Antonio Conte reshuffled his team following captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s red card. The defender was dismissed in the 21st minute after a VAR review judged his foul on Erling Haaland, who went on to score his record-breaking 50th Champions League goal.
De Bruyne, greeted warmly by City fans before kickoff and given a standing ovation when replaced by Mathías Olivera, endured a frustrating night but received an emotional reception throughout.
During his 10 years at Manchester City, De Bruyne established himself as one of the club’s greatest players, winning 16 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the club’s first-ever Champions League in 2023. In recognition of his legacy, City announced plans in May to erect a statue in his honor, install a mosaic at the academy, and even name a road on its campus after him.
Despite his early exit, De Bruyne returned to the pitch after the final whistle for a lap of honor alongside his former teammates, with supporters serenading him one more time.
