Kevin De Bruyne made a heartfelt return to the Etihad Stadium with Napoli, after a decade at City, amid a turbulent match that saw his early substitution due to Napoli’s tactical challenges, symbolising the end of an era and a new beginning in Italy.
Kevin De Bruyne made a poignant return to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday as Napoli faced Manchester City in the Champions League, marking his first appearance back since his summer transfer from the Premier League giants. The Belgian midfielder, who had spent a decade at City and amassed 19 major trophies including six Premier League titles and a Champions League victory, was unexpectedly substituted in the first half. Napoli’s manager, Antonio Conte, explained that the decision was forced by circumstances after Napoli was reduced to ten men following a red card to Giovanni di Lorenzo. Conte expressed sympathy for De Bruyne’s early exit, stating it was the only viable option under the challenging conditions.
De Bruyne’s departure from Manchester City marked the end of an illustrious chapter that saw him become one of the club’s most decorated and influential players. Having announced his intention to leave City at the end of the 2024-2025 season, he concluded his tenure with an impressive record of 108 goals and 177 assists in 422 appearances. His creative brilliance placed him second on the all-time Premier League assists list, underscoring his reputation as one of the league’s finest midfielders. Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, had praised De Bruyne as a “special” player and one of the Premier League’s greatest, reflecting the mutual respect and admiration developed over their long partnership.
After leaving City, De Bruyne quickly integrated into Napoli, the reigning Serie A champions, where he has made a strong start by scoring twice in three matches. His move to Italy marks a fresh chapter in his career, with Napoli welcoming a player of his calibre as a free agent. Guardiola, while emotional about De Bruyne’s departure, expressed optimism about facing him as an opponent, highlighting the professional and personal connections that transcend club allegiances.
Despite his significant achievements at City and the sadness felt among his teammates at his exit, De Bruyne’s decision appeared partly influenced by the contract situation. As he scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Wolves shortly before departing, he hinted that he expected a contract offer to remain, a sentiment shared by some of his peers. This nuance adds an extra layer to the story, indicating the complex dynamics at play behind the scenes in top-level football.
De Bruyne’s return to the Etihad in Napoli colours was thus a bittersweet event for all involved—celebrated for his past contributions yet marked by the realities and tactical necessities of competitive football. His journey symbolizes both the end of a dominant era at City and the continuing evolution of an exceptional footballer’s career.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being September 18, 2025, coinciding with the match between Manchester City and Napoli. The content is original and not recycled from other sources. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. There are no discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes compared to earlier versions. The narrative includes updated data and does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Antonio Conte regarding Kevin De Bruyne’s substitution are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Standard, a reputable UK news outlet. This adds credibility to the report. However, the report is based on a press release, which may introduce some bias.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about Kevin De Bruyne’s substitution due to Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s red card are corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including Reuters and NBC Sports. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, but the consistency across sources supports its plausibility. The language and tone are consistent with typical sports reporting.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and supported by multiple reputable sources. The quotes are unique, and the source is reliable. The claims are plausible and consistent with other reports. No significant credibility risks were identified.
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