A perfectionist and not one for theatrics or media games, Kevin’s fiery nature occasionally spills out - whether snapping at referees or occasional frustration with team-mates. But it’s a passion that gives him and City an edge.
“I just want to be the best version of myself and I push myself to be as good as I can be and then I think eventually people go with that,” he says.
“If a lot of people push and push then there’s a momentum going up. I don’t feel necessarily I have to do that for other people.
“But if some people do it, people will join you because you have to. Then if someone sets the standard of being there then the rest has to do the same. It gains the momentum together.”
A proud Belgian, De Bruyne would go from intense seasons with City to try to inspire his country's so-called "Golden Generation" although they never quite fulfilled its promise. Despite the talent of Vincent Kompany, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois, it never quite happened and Belgium never made it past the semi-finals in major tournaments.
De Bruyne has often been caught in the middle - sometimes carrying the team, sometimes looking lost in disjointed systems. Yet he’s delivered big moments: goals against Brazil, stunning assists at Euro 2020, and a string of dominant performances despite tactical inconsistencies.
His loyalty has never wavered as he passed a century of caps but his international career is a reminder: even for the most talented, winning is the hardest thing and that he did it so consistently at the Etihad is an astonishing feat that is overlooked. When some got bored of City's dominance, De Bruyne was central to an era that will live forever.
“It's hard to keep winning, it's hard to push yourself,” he says. “But I don't think it's even something we can explain because I don't feel like people would necessarily understand you know what it takes sometimes to be an athlete you know the limits don't exist, the limit is the next limit.
“You push yourself up and up and up until there is a moment where maybe it goes down a little bit but then you know you see it with this year if you go down a little bit it's you know it's like a big shock to everybody.
“I think the good thing about sport, you can't win all the time and even if you want to, sometimes if you are a little bit less at this level it's impossible to replicate.
“But I think it shows the consistency that we have done for so many years even with the four in a row nobody did it. There is a reason why that is and it's just because it's really hard.”
From Pep’s early days to the record-breaking seasons, from the heartbreak of Europe to its eventual conquest, De Bruyne has been the pulse of it all.
He leaves as a symbol; of excellence, resilience, and relentless ambition. De Bruyne’s name is forever etched in the fabric of Manchester City - as a legend, a game-changer, and quite simply, one of the finest midfielders the Premier League has ever seen.
King of Deadly Balls. Keen Decisive Brain. Kinetic Dynamic Baller. Key Delivery Brilliance. Kingpin of Deadly Build-up. Knows Danger Better. There will only ever be one KDB: Kevin De Bruyne.