On a night when ‘The Boss’ rolled into town, ‘The King’ waved goodbye for the final time.
De Bruyne’s face was plastered everywhere you looked on arrival at the stadium and although legendary US singer Bruce Springsteen may have been playing a few yards away at the Co-Op Live arena, this was the hottest ticket of the day.
Merchandise stalls had scarves emblazoned with De Bruyne’s name, as did the shirts of supporters, while the matchday programme has a mock-up of the player with the crown from the Premier League trophy atop his head.
City had announced in the lead-up to kick-off that they had dedicated a mosaic and named a road after De Bruyne at the club’s academy.
It was also fitting that a playmaker that has created such artistry on the grass canvass has had a huge mural painted of him in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Once chants of “ohh Kevin De Bruyne” to Seven Nations Army died down, there was a buzz of anticipation each time he had his foot on the ball, willing him to showcase a goal or assist for one last time on their turf.
The big moment could not have been planned any better – the ball laid to him on a plate, in front of an open goal, a couple of yards out, but De Bruyne in slow motion scooped the ball onto the bar.
The 33-year-old had his head in his hands, so did the returning Rodri on the bench and City fans all around as the dream finale went awry.
“It’s terrible,” De Bruyne said of the miss. “There’s no excuses. My son is going to be very tough on me today.”
At full-time, a montage of his best moments over the past decade flashed up on the screen with messages from the likes of Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, Raheem Sterling and Pablo Zabaleta.
De Bruyne was given a guard of honour as he returned to the pitch with his wife and kids by his side.
Then came the outpouring of emotion.
The former Chelsea man struggled to hold it together during his speech in the middle of the park, as did a tearful Guardiola watching on from the sidelines.
“We want you to stay, Kevin de Bruyne, we want you to stay,” was the chant that rung out from supporters but there appears to be no turning back, as he led his team-mates on a lap of appreciation before making an exit for one last time.
Former City defender Micah Richards said: “He lets his football do the talking. He’s such a shy character but I have been meeting him over the years and seeing how humble he is and how great a player he is, it is just great to see.
“He has deserved his send-off. Everyone who’s played with him speaks highly of him, and to do what he’s one in the Premier League is just sensational.”
