Kevin De Bruyne insists he won’t let the outcome of Man City’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan define his career… as he looks to go one better than his forgettable night the last time they reached the final
- De Bruyne suffered a fractured eye socket during the 2021 final loss to Chelsea
- Man City are looking to complete a memorable Treble when they face Inter
- The Belgian says he won’t let the outcome of the final define his career
Kevin De Bruyne is refusing to allow the outcome of Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter to define his career.
The Manchester City talisman was left concussed with a fractured eye socket on a forgettable night during the club’s first final, the 2021 defeat by Chelsea.
And while he accepts that City must conquer Europe to earn recognition in some quarters, De Bruyne believes Pep Guardiola’s side have already sufficiently proven themselves.
‘It depends who you ask,’ the 31-year-old said. ‘Will it help? Yes. But one 90 minutes doesn’t define a career.
‘I am on around 700 games. One 90 minutes out of 700 doesn’t define my career. But obviously it helps.
Kevin De Bruyne won’t let the outcome of the Champions League final define his career
De Bruyne left the pitch in tears with an eye injury the last time Man City reached the final
De Bruyne believes Pep Guardiola’s side have already proven themselves as they look to complete a historic Treble when they play Inter Milan in the Champions League final
‘We have performed really well. We have been in so many quarter and semi-finals and two finals. We have been there most of the time.
‘I want to win the Champions League and I want to win the Treble. We should enjoy next week and hopefully we can perform the best we can.’
De Bruyne has warned that although City go to Istanbul as heavy favourites, they cannot underestimate an Inter team that has progressed beyond Porto, Benfica and AC Milan.
‘They’re a very good team,’ he added. ‘Finals are 50-50. It is always difficult. You have to manage these moments.
‘There will be moments when it is tough but in the big moments we try to do our job. Inter have great players and we have respect for them. They haven’t got to the final by beating easy teams.’
