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Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he “probably won’t play” for Manchester City in this summer’s Club World Cup, with the Belgian critical of Fifa for staging the competition when contracts are still running.
City’s decision not to offer De Bruyne fresh terms means Bournemouth’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday and Sunday’s trip to Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season will be his final games for the club he joined 10 years ago. City play their three Club World Cup Group G games in June and De Bruyne’s deal finishes at the end of that month, so he could participate but has decided not to.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” said De Bruyne following City’s defeat to Crystal Palace in Saturday’s FA Cup final. “But that happens when you push in new tournaments in the middle of a contract situation. I have to take care of myself because if I get injured in the Club World Cup, what am I going to do? Nobody’s going to take care of me at that point. So there’s a big chance I probably won’t play it. I don’t make the rules, I can’t do anything about it.”
De Bruyne is considering whether to play on at the highest level. “I’ll take my decision whenever I’m ready or comfortable with making my decision,” he said. “I want to finish these two games and make a decision, but it’s not that easy. I have to take care of my family. I’ve got three kids, my wife, it’s not an easy process at this time.”
The 33-year-old was asked if signing for another Premier League club, joining a Spanish or Italian club or playing for a team in an emerging league was the preference. “I don’t know,” he said. “Everything has to fall into place for my family and for myself.” Asked about playing at the Etihad Stadium for a final time on Tuesday, De Bruyne added: “I’m fine. I don’t know how I’m going to feel. It’s going to be weird, I’m going to try and enjoy it.”
City’s loss to Palace meant De Bruyne missed the chance to claim a 20th major honour with City. “It’s all right,” he said. “This doesn’t change anything that’s happened.”
