KEVIN DE BRUYNE has revealed his son’s reaction to him missing a sitter on his final Etihad game for Manchester City.
On Tuesday the Premier League icon was playing in his final home game for Man City against Bournemouth before his contract at the club expires this summer.
And with the score 1-0 in the 25th minute, De Bruyne was presented with the perfect opportunity to sign off in style.
Omar Marmoush, who had opened the scoring with a stunning goal from range, squared a cross into De Bruyne’s path with an open goal at his mercy for a tap-in.
However, the Belgian fluffed his lines from five yards out and clattered an effort against the crossbar, leaving everyone in the stadium in disbelief, including his family.
De Bruyne’s wife, Michele Lacroix, and three children; Rome, Mason and Suri were watching on from the stands.
The 33-year-old’s kids had walked out with him as mascots before the game as he was greeted by a huge “King Kev” banner, but they were seen scrambling to watch his miss back minutes later.
Speaking on his miss after the game, De Bruyne said: “I said I just have to be there, it’s going to come. It’s terrible.
“There’s no excuses. My son is going to be very tough on me today.”
Fortunately, the miss did not cost the FA Cup finalists as goals from Bernardo Silva and Nico Gonzalez put the game beyond the Cherries reach despite Mateo Kovacic being sent off and a late consolation from Daniel Jebbison in a 3-1 win.
De Bruyne left the field in the 69th minute to a standing ovation and chants of his name as he brought the curtain down on a decade of trophy-laden success with the Cityzens.
The former Chelsea man looked emotional as he left the pitch and waved goodbye to the supporters and gave a hug to coaching staff on the sidelines following his slow trudge off the playing surface.
He has also been given a lifetime Man City season ticket, signed keepsakes, a brand new mural and the promise of street named in his honour.
While it was revealed during his farewell speech that the club are also planning on building a statue for the icon outside the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking to Sky Sports about leaving the club, he said: “Its been unbelievable to have the 10 years that I’ve had over here.
“I want to bring joy to people, play offensive football, creative, that is what I am on the pitch and I want to have fun. I think we had a lot of fun over the 10 years. You win, you lose sometimes.
“It was a joy working really hard and creating something for this club which brought the club much better than it was before. I’m super proud.”
He leaves City having won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League.
Throughout his tenure he has played over 420 games, scored 108 goals and provided 177 assists.
Read the full article here