"You could feel that energy and that excitement" - When Kyle Walker claimed Manchester City star was as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester City skipper Kyle Walker once claimed that Kevin De Bruyne is in the same bracket as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. It came after the Belgian's exceptional performance against Newcastle United in January 2024.
De Bruyne missed a big part of the 2023-24 season due to an injury. He returned to the bench against Newcastle at St. James' Park on January 13, 2024. With Manchester City losing 2-1, he was subbed on and changed the game completely. He first scored the equalizer in the 74th minute before providing a glorious assist for Oscar Bobb's winner in stoppage time.
After that performance, Kyle Walker compared De Bruyne to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. At FIFA's The Best, the Englishman said (via Goal):
"I think there's only certain players, the likes of Messi and Ronaldo, that you can say are in the same bracket as Kevin – Kevin goes into that bracket for me.
"When he came on against Newcastle, you could feel that push, you could feel that energy and that excitement. He gives you a lift and Kevin is at his best when he's on the ball playing passes that you don't think are even visible to play.”
De Bruyne is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history following his performances for Manchester City. Since arriving from VfB Wolfsburg in 2015, he's contributed 103 goals and 171 assists in 391 games, winning numerous trophies.
When Kevin De Bruyne answered who he would like to play with between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Kevin De Bruyne was asked in an interview earlier this year who he would prefer to play with between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He answered (via Sport Bible):
"I would probably say Ronaldo because he’s more of a typical striker. Messi is still more of a playmaker. I am a playmaker, you can give me a striker."
While he has never played with either of them, De Bruyne has faced both legends multiple times. He's faced Lionel Messi four times with club and country, winning once and losing four times. He's faced Cristiano Ronaldo just three times with club and country, winning twice and losing once.
Notably, De Bruyne is second in the all-time assists charts in the Premier League with 113, only behind Ryan Giggs (162). Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer in men's football with 911 goals for club and country. The duo would certainly have been a major attacking threat had they played together.