MANCHESTER CITY superstar Kevin De Bruyne is spearheading a stunning Treble pursuit despite struggling with a “private” issue this season.
That is according to Thierry Henry, who had a small chat and an emotional embrace with De Bruyne after City thrashed Real Madrid and sealed their place in the Champions League Final.
The playmaker has been integral for the Citizens in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europe’s top competition and led a stunning triumph against Real in the semi-finals.
The Belgium international scored the equaliser in the first leg at Santiago Bernabeu and created Bernardo Silva’s opener, which led to a 4-0 triumph at the Etihad on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old was hauled off on 84 minutes as he was replaced by Phil Foden and had a talk with Henry at full-time.
De Bruyne and the Arsenal legend have a close relationship as they used to work together when the latter was Belgium’s assistant manager.
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The France great wouldn’t share any details of their conversation but revealed he now has even more respect for the Belgian star as he is not letting his personal issues get in the way of his team’s goals.
Henry told CBS: “It was [a touching moment]. I can’t say it because I have to keep that private.
“But from what he said to me, I [have] even more respect how he played tonight and how he came and battled with his team.
“I can’t share what he said because I can’t share it. That’s how it is.
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“But once again I will go back to, for me he is the most important player.”
That wasn’t De Bruyne’s only emotionally charged moment in the match as he was also heard telling City manager Pep Guardiola to “shut up”.
The ex-Chelsea star and Guardiola started rowing in the second half after the former had been robbed of possession.
The Spanish tactician was enraged when De Bruyne failed to spot a potential pass to Jack Grealish on the left and was dispossessed by Eder Militao at a dangerous position.
But the heated argument came to an end when Guardiola walked back to the bench while staring down at the floor.
The two men don’t appear to have any ill-feelings as they embraced once De Bruyne was hauled off just before full-time.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
