Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City is reportedly going through personal issues, a situation that sparked him to speak out against Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry recently revealed that the 31-year-old is playing through a ‘private’ personal issue after they hugged following Manchester City’s Champions League semi-final win over Real Madrid.
Manchester City beat reigning Champions Real Madrid 5-1 to secure a spot in the Final with De Bruyne playing a major role.
Kevin De Bruyne scored the equalizer in the 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu last week before providing the assist for Bernardo Silva’s first goal.
The goal provided a platform for Manchester City to move on to thrash Real Madrid 4-0 to book a place in the Champions League final where they will face Inter Milan.
Kevin De Bruyne was substituted in the 84th minute and he was seen hugging former Belgian assistant coach Thierry Henry after a post-match conversation.
Thierry Henry who was working as a CBS pundit, confirmed that he had ‘even more respect’ for De Bruyne for featuring in the match despite his personal issues.
Henry went on to say: “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 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.”
“But once again I will go back to, for me he is the most important player.”
Futballnews understands that Man City are not interested in making the matter public and are hopeful it will not affect the rest of the season.
The discussion between Henry and De Bruyne came after the Belgian had told Man City boss Guardiola to ‘shut up’.
Kevin De Bruyne and Guardiola were seen having a word fight in the match in the second half after the midfielder lost possession.
Guardiola was shouting when the Belgian drove forward with the ball just inside Madrid’s half and he failed to spot a pass to Jack Grealish on the left-hand side, he was dispossessed by Militao.
The Man City manager was seen walking back to the bench while starring down at the floor after the row with De Bruyne.
The win against reigning champions Real Madrid saw Man City moving a step closer to their potential Treble, with Guardiola’s side aiming at retaining the Premier League title ahead of both the Champions League and FA Cup finals.
De Bruyne and his wife have been together since 2014 and the Belgian proposed under the Eiffel Tower during a romantic trip to Paris in 2016.
The Belgium international has been very vital to Manchester City’s success since he joined in 2015, winning four Premier League titles, five League Cups and one FA Cup.
De Bruyne who has won the PFA Players Player of the Year twice revealed in 2019 that he was inspired to reach the top level after he was rejected by a foster family.
He was put up with a foster family for 12 months by Genk football club as he completed his education and played in the academy.
The midfielder revealed that his mum told him that the foster family had declined to have him back after they said he was too ‘difficult’ because he was ‘too quiet’.
He helped Manchester City secure a draw with a thunderous shot outside the box at Santiago Bernabeu last week and appeared emotional afterwards.