Picture Credit: Twitter
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has recently expressed his discomfort with playing in the upcoming Nations League. The Belgian star has talked about not getting a lot of rest after a gruelling 2021-22 club season where his team won the Premier League. De Bruyne and his Belgium team will start their 2022/23 Nations League campaign next month against the Netherlands. The Belgians will then go on to play three matches from 3 June to 13 June 2022.
“Two weeks is too long. Well, as a player we can't change that much. I'm not exactly looking forward to it," he said at a press conference this week. The Nations League is unimportant in my eyes. Just glorified friendlies after a long and tough season. I am not looking forward to it. Anyway, we can say that we want more rest.”
“Nothing changes anyway. Once on the field, we will do what we have to do. In 12 months we have three weeks of holiday. The people from the outside do not understand how a player feels after a season. But they don’t have to because it won’t change anything. It doesn’t even matter to mention it, nothing will change anyway,” he continued.
De Bruyne had another great season as he netted 19 goals and provided 14 assists across all competitions in 2021/22. Along with winning the league, Manchester City also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Champions League.
The 30-year-old won his first POTS award in 2019/20 and is part of a club of only four players who have received the award on two occasions. KDB joins Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nemanja Vidic in this exclusive club. After winning the award, Belgian thanked his team for helping him during the season.
He said, “To win this award for a second time is an achievement that I am really proud of,” he said. There is so much quality in the Premier League and it is a pleasure to be nominated with so many other great players who have had incredible seasons for their clubs.”
“I think my performances this season have been good and I am happy that I have been able to contribute with goals and assists throughout the season. Thank you to all of the staff, coaches and especially my teammates because without them this wouldn’t be possible.”