Kevin De Bruyne has recently opened up about his decision to not pursue the role of permanent captain at Manchester City, despite his influential presence on the field and his role as captain of the Belgian national team.
In a candid interview, De Bruyne revealed that he prefers to focus on his playing rather than taking on the additional responsibilities of being the official captain. The 33-year-old midfielder expressed his belief that assuming the captaincy would be a distraction from his primary goal of performing at the highest level.
According to The Athletic, De Bruyne emphasized, “I would rather focus on playing than the extra responsibilities.” His statement reflects his commitment to maintaining peak performance rather than managing off-field duties.
This revelation follows a recent incident where De Bruyne was seen telling Belgium’s sporting director, Franky Vercauteren, “I quit,” after a defeat to France in the UEFA Nations League. In the interview, De Bruyne underscored the importance of maintaining high standards and giving everything on the field, pointing out that some players may fall short of these expectations.
De Bruyne’s approach highlights his preference to lead by example through his actions rather than through formal leadership roles. He has shown readiness to support his teammates who hold the captaincy, including Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho, and currently Kyle Walker, allowing him to concentrate fully on his performance as he enters the final year of his contract with Manchester City.