On May 20, 2025, Pep Guardiola was visibly emotional, shedding tears during Kevin De Bruyne’s farewell to Manchester City fans at the Etihad Stadium, where the club honored the Belgian midfielder with a statue for his decade-long contribution. De Bruyne, who announced his departure from the club after a glittering career, became tearful as he addressed the crowd, expressing hope that fans would “remember him with joy.” The ceremony included tributes from former teammates like Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho, and Vincent Kompany, which heightened the emotional atmosphere.
Guardiola, who has often praised De Bruyne’s instrumental role in Manchester City’s success, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League, struggled to contain his emotions. Posts on X, such as those from @footballontnt and @City_Xtra, captured the moment, noting Guardiola’s tears as De Bruyne took the pitch for his farewell. The Mirror reported that Guardiola called for the statue to commemorate De Bruyne’s legacy, saying, “The club gave everything to him, but he gave everything to us.” However, some skepticism surfaced on X, with one user questioning the sincerity of Guardiola’s reaction, suggesting De Bruyne could have stayed if offered a contract.
De Bruyne’s emotional response to the statue and the outpouring of love from fans and teammates underscored his status as a club legend. The event marked a poignant end to his Manchester City tenure, with Guardiola’s tears reflecting the deep bond between the manager and his star player, whose vision and playmaking defined an era.[](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/kevin-debruyne-man-city-exit-35260122)
