De Bruyne: Manchester City's Success Hasn't Been Fully Appreciated

Kevin De Bruyne emphasized that the public will appreciate Manchester City in the future (Instagram/@mancity).

JAKARTA - Kevin De Bruyne said that he believes Manchester City's achievements will be fully appreciated in the future when they continue to have a consistent season.

De Bruyne has won every trophy since joining Manchester City in 2015, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five Premier League Cups, and one Champions League title.

The problem is, Pep Guardiola's side, who have won four consecutive league crowns, are struggling in performance this season.

Because it was this tough season that made Manchester City's previous achievements not get appreciation.

This was also agreed by De Bruyne when asked by Brazil's ESPN whether people realized how extraordinary the team's achievements were.

"No, but I think it will happen. Maybe if we talk about this in 20 years, people will see it differently."

"We have time to reflect and see other things that have happened. I think now people are looking at us and saying that we have to win."

"However, it's not that easy to do. Maybe sometimes as a player, you also forget, if we thought we would win."

"We work hard and have to do our job. However, sometimes it is difficult to appreciate that moment."

"We have to keep going and keep going, we don't have time to enjoy that moment, we have to do your job," said De Bruyne.

Manchester City are fourth in the Premier League standings, 16 points adrift of leaders Liverpool. They have suffered seven defeats and five draws this season after 25 games.

In comparison, in their winning league campaign in the 2023/2024 season, Guardiola's side have only lost three times in total.

They also lost 2-3 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout match with Real Madrid last week.

De Bruyne also responded to The Citizens' trip this season casually and was not surprised by the decline from last season.

"Not (surprising), not really. Well, I think people expect us to win every year. So, maybe that's why they're surprised, but I don't know."

"I think sometimes you have to go through difficult times. We have other difficult seasons when you don't win, but it's okay."

"It's alive, you can't always have the best moments, you have to go through different periods, and we can get through it," said De Bruyne again.

Manchester City will travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to try to reverse the aggregate from Real Madrid on February 20, 2025.

Their motivation also doubled after a 4-0 win over Newcastle United in the Premier League on February 15, 2025.