As the final whistle sounded in Lisbon last night, Kevin De Bruyne, leaving the pitch a loser once more, would have felt helpless. He had tried everything to drag Manchester City towards the European crown. Yet, once again, despite his efforts, De Bruyne trudged out the competition without even witnessing the glimmer of the famous trophy.
It sums up the Belgian’s season in a way; he has been nothing short of world-class, while everyone else wearing sky blue has been anything but. Manchester City, as a collective, did not deserve one look at silverware this season, but for the annual League Cup win, that is.
Kevin De Bruyne Wins Player of the Season
An Incredible Individual Season
Though, it has to be said, Kevin De Bruyne’s sensational season deserved some kind of reward, some kind of recognition. And with the Premier League Player of the Season award, he has finally received that deserved adulation.
The feeling of winning the individual award will not outweigh the collective disappointment from last night’s game, but those who witness the brilliance of De Bruyne in person every week will be more than happy to congratulate the justified winner.
Place at the Top Confirmed
The likes of Steven Gerrard, Luis Suárez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry have previously been honoured with this award, just to name a few. And now, De Bruyne, to confirm his seat at the table, has also picked up the award.
The Belgian will undoubtedly go down as one of the best midfielders of his generation. His passing is pristine; engine, seemingly unstoppable; striking of the ball, a threat to any keeper in the world. The fact is, he can do everything. He makes the impossible look somehow possible.
Before this season, he entered the room of legends. Now, with an award to match an incredible season, he has taken a seat directly opposite Thierry Henry himself, both with one hand on the assist king’s crown.
Equalling Henry’s Record
Many have tried for all their might to better Henry’s 20 assists in a single Premier League campaign. Yet, despite valiant attempts from Mesut Özil and De Bruyne himself, the record still stands. Before this season, though, it hadn’t even been equalled. So up stepped De Bruyne for yet another attempt.
This time, it was a successful one. The Belgian put the ball on a plate on 20 occasions to the delight of the Manchester City forwards. It may not have been enough to beat the record, but De Bruyne can at least bask in the glory of equalling it.
And, let’s face it, had Sergio Agüero remained fit, we could be talking about De Bruyne as the newly crowned and outright assist king instead of watching on as he shares the coronation with Henry.
Ballon D’or Cancellation Would Have Disappointed Kevin De Bruyne
With 39 goal involvements from midfield to his name, De Bruyne would have undoubtedly been a contender for the Ballon d’Or. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, almost guaranteed to win the award each year, have both endured difficult seasons, compared to their standards, at times. If someone else was to finally win the award, many believed this year would be the year.
Yet, as Coronavirus hit and sport became a rightful afterthought, the annual crowning of the best player was cancelled. The news would have disappointed Kevin De Bruyne and Robert Lewandowski. Many believed that the two were the obvious contenders for the sacred golden ball. Yet, here we are, with no ceremony to decide the winner.
Instead, we must wait until next year; a year we may see Kevin De Bruyne reach unthinkable new heights once more. For now, though, we must come together to congratulate the Belgian on a truly incredible individual season.
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