Erling Haaland Pens Emotional Tribute to Kevin De Bruyne as Midfield Maestro Bids Farewell to Manchester City
Erling Haaland honors Kevin De Bruyne with a powerful farewell as the legendary midfielder prepares to leave Manchester City after nearly a decade of brilliance, record-breaking assists, and unforgettable moments.
Manchester City’s goal machine Erling Haaland has shared an emotional farewell message to his teammate and assist king Kevin De Bruyne.
As speculation intensifies over De Bruyne’s future and whispers of a potential move or retirement echo through the footballing world, Haaland’s heartfelt tribute serves as both a thank-you and a farewell to one of the greatest midfielders of the modern era.
Haaland message to De Bruyne:
” 💙🥺 First of all, thank you so much for all the great assists you’ve given me, the great moments we’ve had together, winning the UCL, the Premier League, and everything you’ve done for this club – we all really appreciate it.”
A trio of dominance: three years of pure magic
Since Haaland’s arrival at Manchester City in the summer of 2022, the striker-midfielder duo of him and De Bruyne has redefined attacking football in the Premier League. Together, they have tormented defences, broken records, and brought silverware back to the Etihad Stadium in dramatic fashion.
De Bruyne, who joined Manchester City in 2015, has accumulated an astonishing 112 Premier League assists second only to Ryan Giggs in the all-time chart.
In all competitions for City, he has delivered over 150 assists, creating chances with an elegance and vision rarely seen in football.
Haaland, meanwhile, has smashed records since join he joined Man City. In his debut season alone (2022–23), he scored 36 Premier League goals, the most ever in a single campaign, and 52 goals in all competitions and many of them were made possible by De Bruyne’s perfect passes.
Their link-up was pivotal in City’s historic treble-winning season, where they lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League trophies.
A Fare full of respect and emotion
“I’m so happy to have played with you for an amazing three years,” Haaland continued. “I wish you, of course, all the best in the future. From all Man City, it’s been a pleasure to have you at this club. Before I came, I watched you so much and looked forward to playing with you, then did it, and it was amazing. I’m so happy and wish you all the best , we love you. We, City fans, love you!”
This message, filled with gratitude and admiration, reflects not just a professional bond but a deep mutual respect between two world-class athletes. De Bruyne’s creativity has unlocked defences for years, and with Haaland’s ruthless finishing, the two formed arguably the most dangerous attacking duo in world football.
Kevin De Bruyne: A Premier League legend
During his tenure at Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne has:
- Made 372 appearances for the club (as of May 2025)
- Scored 98 goals and provided 151 assists in all competitions
- Won 5 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, 6 EFL Cups, and 1 UEFA Champions League
- Been named Premier League Player of the Season (2019–20)
- Made the PFA Team of the Year multiple times
- Won the UEFA Midfielder of the Year (2023)
De Bruyne’s consistency, leadership, and unrivaled passing range have made him a legend not only at City but also a revered figure in international football. His ability to dictate the tempo of a game, find space in the tightest pockets, and deliver defense-splitting passes has inspired a generation of midfielders.
Haaland’s message captures the emotions of a team losing not just a teammate, but a legend. It’s a reminder that football is not just about the goals and trophies is about the partnerships, the memories, and the impact left behind.
As Manchester City looks to the future, the legacy of Kevin De Bruyne will live on in the record books, in the hearts of fans, and in the continued evolution of the beautiful game.
