Spectacular goals, glorious assists and major trophies: Kevin De Bruyne's most iconic moments at Manchester City

After a glittering decade at City, during which time he played more than 400 games and helped the club win 19 major trophies, De Bruyne joined Napoli this summer.

Here, DAZN News looks at five iconic contributions from the legendary Belgian midfielder as he prepares to return to face Pep Guardiola’s side in the Champions League  on Thursday night.

Paris St-Germain (H), Champions League quarter-final, April 2016

City had signed De Bruyne, then the reigning Bundesliga Player of the Year, from German side Wolfsburg for a club record £55million the previous summer.

He made a huge impact in his debut season at the club, helping Manuel Pellegrini’s side to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time.

After a 2-2 first-leg draw in Paris, in which De Bruyne was on target, the tie remained in the balance in Manchester thanks to Sergio Aguero's missed penalty for City in the first half.

But De Bruyne produced a delightful curled finish late on to seal a 3-2 aggregate victory. It was classic De Bruyne and a sign of things to come.

Southampton (A), Premier League, May 2018

A touch of class and a natural finisher – so often the difference between success and failure.

De Bruyne provided the former and Gabriel Jesus showed he was the latter as City won 1-0 at Southampton in hugely dramatic fashion to cap an amazing, record-breaking campaign.

Guardiola’s side had already won the title but beating Saints saw them finish the campaign with 100 points – the most points by an English top-flight side in a single campaign.

De Bruyne sent a ball over the top for Gabriel Jesus to latch on to and finish, sparking wild scenes amongst the City players, coaching staff and supporters.

““Maybe this record will be broken but it will be difficult,” said Guardiola after his side finished 19 points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester United.

“What can I say, 100 points! We won 50 points at home and 50 away. It's massive. One hundred points is magnificent.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers (A), Premier League, May 2022

As City closed in on their latest Premier League title, De Bruyne once again took centre stage with a spectacular four-goal haul in a 5-1 win at Molineux.

De Bruyne’ first three goals marked his first hat-trick for City and at 24 minutes was the third-quickest in Premier League history.

He later added his fourth to leave Guardiola’s side needing only four points from their final two fixtures to ensure they finished above Liverpool to claim their fourth title in five seasons.

Real Madrid (A), Champions League, May 2023

De Bruyne scored a stunning goal at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.

Vinicius Jr scored with Real's only chance of the first half, a 25-yard thunderbolt , but De Bruyne rifled a shot from a similar distance into the bottom corner.

The 1-1 draw left City unbeaten in 21 games in all competitions – and of course they went on to clinch a glorious treble after winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

Crystal Palace (A), Premier League, April 2024

De Bruyne became the first midfielder since Colin Bell to reach 100 City goals by scoring twice in a 4-2 win at Selhurst Park.

The first was a curling effort from a narrow angle and the second a typically powerful strike which flew through a thicket of players and into the Palace net.

The milestone came in his 372nd appearance for City, having already amassed 166 assists across all competitions.

Bournemouth (H), Premier League, May 2025

The Belgian featured in his 142nd and final home league appearance for City in a hugely emotional occasion which saw the hosts win 3-1.

De Bruyne should have got on the scoresheet, but conspired to hit the frame of the goal when it seemed easier to score.

He was replaced in the 69th minute and given a standing ovation as he exited at home for the last time.

As tributes were paid to him, De Bruyne said afterwards: “Manchester is home. Manchester is where these little kids are born. I came here with my wife, Michele, to stay here for a long time.

“I didn’t expect to be here 10 years to do what we have as a club, supporters, my teammates.

“We won everything. We made the city, the club bigger. Now they’re going to take over.

“I wanted to play with creativity, I wanted to play with passion. I wanted to enjoy football and I hope and think everyone enjoyed it.

“Everybody here has pushed me so hard from inside and outside the club to be the best version of myself.

“It’s been an absolute honour to play with these guys. I’ve made so many friends for life.”

 

Champions League fixture list for Matchday 1 

Thursday, 18 September 

• Club Brugge vs Monaco 
• Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen 
• Frankfurt vs Galatasaray 
• Manchester City vs Napoli 
• Newcastle vs Barcelona 
• Sporting vs Kairat Almaty 

Which Champions League matches are available on DAZN in the United States?

(All matches are available in Spanish. More matches to be added in the New Year.)

Matchweek 1

• Tuesday, Sept 16: Real Madrid vs. Marseille
• Wednesday, Sept. 17: PSG vs. Atalanta
• Thursday, Sept. 18: Manchester City vs. Napoli

Matchweek 2

• Tuesday, Sept. 30: Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
• Wednesday, Oct. 1: Villarreal vs. Juventus
• Wednesday, Oct. 1: Barcelona vs. PSG

Matchweek 3

• Tuesday, Oct. 21: Villarreal vs. Manchester City
• Wednesday, Oct. 22: Real Madrid vs. Juventus
• Wednesday, Oct. 22: Bayern Munich vs. Club Brugge

Matchweek 4

• Tuesday, Nov. 4: PSG vs. Bayern Munich
• Wednesday, Nov. 5: Inter Milan vs. Kairat Almaty
• Wednesday, Nov. 5: Newcastle vs. Athletic Club

Matchweek 5

• Tuesday, Nov. 25: Manchester City vs. Bayer Leverkusen
• Wednesday, Nov. 26: Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich
• Wednesday, Nov. 26: Atletico Madrid vs. Inter Milan

Matchweek 6

• Tuesday, Dec. 9: Atalanta vs. Chelsea
• Wednesday, Dec. 10: Club Brugge vs. Arsenal
• Wednesday, Dec. 10: Real Madrid vs. Manchester City