Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has boldly claimed that only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are in the same elite bracket as teammate Kevin de Bruyne.
Walker’s praise comes in the wake of De Bruyne’s outstanding performance off the bench during City’s clash against Newcastle United.
The Belgian playmaker not only found the back of the net but also assisted Oscar Bobb’s injury-time goal to secure a crucial victory.
Recovering from a hamstring surgery that sidelined him for the first half of the season, De Bruyne has seamlessly returned to the pitch with an unwavering ambition to be recognised as the best in the world.
Walker, speaking at the FIFA The Best awards, emphasised De Bruyne’s impact, stating, “Kevin goes into that bracket for me. When he came on against Newcastle, you could feel that push, you could feel that energy and that excitement.
“He gives you a lift, and Kevin is at his best when he’s on the ball, playing passes that you don’t think are even visible to play.”
Manchester City Eye To Continue Their Dominance With De Bruyne Back
De Bruyne’s exceptional contributions haven’t gone unnoticed, earning him a place in the FIFPro Team of the Year for the fourth consecutive time.
Last season, he played a pivotal role in City’s triumphant campaign, delivering an astonishing 31 assists across competitions, including crucial moments in the Champions League and FA Cup.
City’s dominance is further underscored by having six players, including De Bruyne, named in the FIFA World Team of the Year – a feat unmatched since Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2010.
🚨🏆 Here’s FIFA Team of the Year 2023. pic.twitter.com/N7mLALna1L
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 15, 2024
As City gear up to defend their Premier League and Champions League titles, De Bruyne’s resurgence is a timely boost.
With the team currently on a brief winter break, they are set to resume action against Tottenham on January 26 in an FA Cup fourth-round clash.
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