Kevin De Bruyne didn’t hide his anger at Manchester City’s decision not to renew his contract last season, insisting he still had more to give at the highest level.
De Bruyne’s respect for City ensured he played his part in the Blues’ classy farewell tributes, and did not consider a move to any Premier League rival. Liverpool were linked but TBR Football understand they were never interested in signing De Bruyne.
Instead he joined Napoli, still insisting that he could perform at the top level and welcoming the chance to play in the Champions League.
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Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
De Bruyne’s start to life in Italy has been positive, and he took that form into this international break – backing his defiant words up with more goals.
Kevin De Bruyne helps Belgium move closer to World Cup qualifying place with back-to-back goals
Kevin De Bruyne scored on his Napoli debut as his wide free kick evaded everyone and found the back of the net, before the defending Serie A champions beat Cagliari to record back-to-back wins.
De Bruyne still feels a sense of injustice at City’s decision not to renew his contract, so will be even more fired up this season.
Kevin De Bruyne statistics in 2025/26 (Source: Fotmob):
Games – 4
Minutes – 324
Goals – 4
Assists – 1
Passes completed – 178/217
Chances created – 12
Expected goals – 1.09
Expected assists – 1.90
Defensive contributions – 1
Over the international break, he scored three goals in two games against Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan as Belgium recorded consecutive 6-0 victories to sit second in Group J, one point behind North Macedonia with a game in hand.
The midfielder also notched an assist against Kazakhstan to take his form this season to four goals and an assist in four games for club and country. He is also leading the way in Serie A for ‘expected assists’ with 1.0, despite not yet assisting for Napoli.
Kevin De Bruyne was angry at Manchester City exit, can prove them wrong next week with Etihad Stadium return
When discussing his City exit, De Bruyne said he was ‘surprised’ and shocked not to have been offered a new deal, continuing to express his frustration in interviews in the closing months of the campaign.
Kevin De Bruyne playing for Napoli in Serie A.
Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images
Upon signing for Napoli, De Bruyne said: “I want to prove to the world that I can still play at the highest level.”
And he will get an immediate chance to return to City and show them what they are missing, as Napoli open their Champions League campaign back at the Etihad Stadium next week.
City have lost two games in a row and host Manchester United this weekend before the Napoli clash. Napoli have a tricky assignment at Fiorentina on Saturday night, where De Bruyne will look to continue his early-season form.
Kevin de Bruyne of Belgium celebrates 5-0 during the World Cup Qualifier match between Belgium v Kazakhstan
Photo by Gerrit van Keulen/Soccrates/Getty Images
Detail of the badge of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg Training And Press Conference at Manchester City Stadium
Photo by Dennis Agyeman / Europa Press Sports via Getty Images