Kevin de Bruyne: Man City 'genius' bids farewell at Etihad Stadium

Kevin de Bruyne received an emotional farewell at Etihad Stadium for the final time on Tuesday night - and the moment even brought manager Pep Guardiola to tears, who called it a "sad day".

The 33-year-old will go down as a Manchester City legend and proclaimed he will "always be here" after the announcement that a statue will be built, external in his honour outside the stadium.

Captain De Bruyne is set to depart this summer and started his last home game in City's 3-1 victory over Bournemouth, but the Premier League great bowed out in a somewhat abject manner.

He had the chance to go out in style but missed a first-half sitter and was then sacrificed in the second half after Mateo Kovacic's sending off - a sad ending for such an illustrious career.

De Bruyne said in his post-match speech: "I wanted to play with creativity, I wanted to play with passion. I wanted to enjoy football and I hope everyone enjoyed it.

"Everybody has pushed me so hard inside and outside the club to be the best version of myself and these guys in front of me have made me better than I was before.

"It's an honour to play with these guys. I've made so many friends for life."

The decade-long association has produced unprecedented success for City, while the player has etched himself into the club's history books by taking home an incredible 16 winners' medals during that period.

Once the full-time whistle was blown, nothing was going to spoil his grand send-off as City players, staff and supporters paid tribute to their midfield maestro.

Guardiola said: "Everybody saw how much the people from Manchester City are connected with him and his family and how much love [they have].

"Titles are nice and everything that he has achieved, but when you leave after 10 years with this much respect and gratitude, there is nothing else better than that.

"I am part of that, the club will take the decision, but it is a sad day and he will be missed, there is no doubt about that."

Guardiola added: "When Kevin arrived here, I am pretty sure he was not a Man City fan, I don't know who he supports, but I am pretty sure he is a fan now and will be forever.

"That is because of the connection between all the people and him."

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