Following the two’s passionate embrace following Manchester City’s victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinal, Thierry Henry has disclosed that Kevin De Bruyne is dealing with a “private” personal issue while on the field.
De Bruyne was essential to City’s 5-1 victory over the defending European champions overall.
With his wife Michele Lacroix, whom he shares three kids with, De Bruyne sat in the Etihad Stadium bleachers on Wednesday night to watch the game.
The Belgian superstar initially assisted Bernardo Silva’s key opening goal in last week’s first leg before scoring City’s equalizer in the 1-1 draw.
The score set up City’s 4-0 victory that night, which allowed Pep Guardiola’s team to advance to the championship game against Inter Milan.
Following a post-game meeting with former Belgian assistant coach Thierry Henry, De Bruyne, who was replaced in the 84th minute, was seen hugging Henry.
Following their ‘private’ talk, Henry, who was serving as a pundit for CBS, said he had ‘even more respect’ for the midfielder for participating in the match.
It was an emotional moment. I have to keep that confidential, therefore I can’t say it, Henry said.
But after hearing what he told me, I much more admire how he performed tonight and how he worked hard to support his team. I’m not allowed to share it, so I can’t share what he said. It is as it is.
But I’ll mention him again since, in my opinion, he’s the key player.
Mail Sport is aware that City want the situation to remain confidential and are certain it won’t have an impact on the remainder of the season.
De Bruyne and Henry’s argument came after the midfielder begged City manager Guardiola to “shut up.”
In the second half, after he had lost possession, De Bruyne and Guardiola were spotted arguing.
When the Belgian advanced with the ball close inside Madrid’s half and was stripped of it by Militao after Guardiola missed an opportunity to pass to Jack Grealish on the left side, the Spaniard was incensed.
After the argument, Guardiola turned to face the floor and walked back to the bench.
After defeating Real Madrid, City moved one step closer to completing a potential treble, with Guardiola’s team certain to win the Premier League title before the Champions League and FA Cup finals.
His wife Michele, whom he wed back in 2017, had been rooting for De Bruyne from the stands.
The Belgian proposed to the French during a romantic trip to Paris in 2016, and the couple have been dating since 2014.
Mason, 7, Rome, 4, and daughter Suri, 2, are their children.
Henry had supervised De Bruyne throughout his two stints as Belgium’s assistant manager.
Between 2016 and 2018 and from 2021 to 2022, Henry served as Roberto Martinez’s assistant in Belgium.
After Belgium’s elimination from the World Cup in Qatar’s group stage, the 45-year-old resigned the position with Martinez.
Following the first leg of the semi-final last week, Henry praised De Bruyne, stating the 31-year-old’s intellect was the “best” he had ever seen.
Henry remarked, “I believe Kevin’s brain is the best I’ve ever seen.” In all respect, I don’t always know what he thinks about because of the way his brain works. Because you are not on his level when you look at him, it almost seems like he is not with us.
He is, in my opinion, the smartest player I have ever seen. He simply thinks in a way that is unmatched. I intermittently observed him for six years while playing for Belgium, and as a result, I have a slightly greater appreciation for the man.
He is an unbelievable perfectionist. I keep thinking about things I’ve seen, but they are just from another planet, Kevin, his brain.