Manchester City midfielder reflects on disappointing World Cup campaign

Manchester City and Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has opened up about his country’s lacklustre World Cup campaign in Qatar.

Manchester City did not lack representation at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with 16 members of Pep Guardiola’s squad being given the opportunity to represent their nations.

Undoubtedly, the biggest City success story in the Middle East was Julian Alvarez, who scored four goals for Argentina on their way to their first World Cup title in 36 years.

While Alvarez lifted the trophy, the other 15 Sky Blue members returned home to training early, with Kevin De Bruyne being one of them.

De Bruyne and Belgium went into the tournament as the second highest-ranked team by FIFA, yet they were knocked out in the group stages to future semi-finalists Morocco and Croatia.

The Belgian midfielder discussed his country’s underwhelming trip with The Daily Mail’s Jack Gaughan, touching on the fact that there were other highlights to look back on.

“It was obviously a disappointing World Cup campaign for Belgium,” said De Bruyne.

“We have had some successful major tournaments in previous years and unfortunately this was not one of them.”

Since getting his first call-up to Belgium’s senior team in 2010, De Bruyne has come close to winning three tournaments with his home nation.

Belgium finished third in the 2018 World Cup, fourth place in the 2021 UEFA Nations League, and were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the European Championships in 2021.

His nation’s early exit in Qatar has done little to deter De Bruyne’s motivation in the Premier League with the Cityzens, explaining that he is focused on getting his club more silverware.

“Now I am back with Manchester City and my focus is on continuing the strong first half of the season that we had to give us the best possible chance of winning trophies at the end of the season.”

This motivation was on full display in the Sky Blues’ recent 3-2 victory over Liverpool in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, as the Belgian recorded two assists.

The 31 year-old assisted Erling Haaland’s opening goal and Nathan Ake’s second half header, which secured City’s place in the quarter-finals.