De Bruyne's Acknowledgment That He Is Still Struggling With The Impact Of COVID-19 Despite Playing Brilliantly Against Leeds

Kevin De Bruyne (Twitter @DeBruyneKev)

JAKARTA - Kevin De Bruyne admits that he is still struggling with the impact of COVID-19, even though the Manchester City midfielder had just scored two goals against Leeds United 7-0 at the Etihad, last Tuesday.

De Bruyne feels he is not back at his best after testing positive for COVID-19 last month.

"I don't feel optimal yet. My body still has to adapt. Sometimes after two or three races I feel the impact of having been exposed to Covid," he told Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws as quoted by Reuters on Friday.

De Bruyne returned to City from duty with the Belgian national team after testing positive for COVID-19 last month.

"I was very sick for four days. Kind of like the flu but I've never felt that bad. Almost every night I have a fever and I lose my sense of smell and taste. After five days everything got better, my senses came back recently, but now everything is fine," said De Bruyne.

"I was alone during the 10-day quarantine, so I walked from wall to wall because it was hard for me to sit still. I separated myself from my family because I didn't want to pass it on to my wife or children. It was hard enough just to see them through the glass door," he added.

However, the 30-year-old admits his situation is gradually improving even though this season he has also suffered from recurring ankle injuries.

"Everything keeps getting better. This season it has been like that. I can't change it. I got hit in the face, kicked in the ankle, and then tested positive for COVID," said De Bruyne.

"It's not easy with a busy schedule, but I feel fine. I just do what has to be done," he added.