The Belgian: “The scudetto depends solely on Inter. We must aim to qualify for the Champions League. Against Milan it will only be a match for second place, at least for the moment…”
The nickname The King sums up the scope of the character very well. And that magical aura that it carries with it. On the pitch, where every touch of the ball becomes poetry. And outside, with that star charm that accompanies him in every step. But Kevin De Bruyne doesn’t have the attitude of a star and in private he is rather reserved. Almost as if he wanted to protect Kevin’s world from the spotlight De Bruyne is forced into. Who can be very ironic only with facial expressions. When we ask him for confirmation on Contian’s harsh methodology, one word is enough for him to clearly express the concept. “Yes!”. And it’s impossible not to laugh with him. Napoli-Milan is upon us and Kevin wants to return to lighting up Maradona.
First of all, how do you feel?
“I’m fine. A bit of jet lag to get over after returning from America. But I’m fine.”
What was it like returning to the Belgian national team?
“Nice, it’s always special. Everything is going in the right direction, representing your country is an honor. I know people expect a lot from me, I have to help this new generation grow to go far. It’s different from the past, but I like it.”
What do you expect from the next World Cup?
“I don’t know, I think there is less waiting than before. Obviously we had a very special group in 2018, now there are a lot of new players. We start to get through the group, then it depends on who we find. We want to play good football and go as far as possible. We hope to do something good.”
Not going to the World Cup is a huge loss for a country like Italy
Italy will be missing from the World Cup: surprised?
“I think the level in Europe is increasingly higher. It’s not easy to win every match and even small national teams can build a decent team and achieve results. Of course, not going to the World Cup for a country like Italy is a huge loss. But there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Is Italian football in crisis?
“Maybe. If you don’t make the World Cup for three editions in a row maybe you are. But I don’t know the details, I don’t know the structure and philosophy, starting from the youth up to the highest level. So I don’t know…”.
Since Belgium’s retreat he has said he is ready to help Lukaku if needed. How much did your friends Romelu and Mertens help you in choosing to come to Naples?
“Not much actually. I talked to them a bit, but in the end I evaluated all the options, I discussed it with my family and with people close to me. I talked to them to understand how things work, but in the end you have to make decisions on your own and I decided that Naples, for me, was the best choice.”
“Because it had the best plan for me and my family. I wanted to continue playing at a high level and in Naples there was the possibility to do so. So it was the best choice for everyone. I have to try to be happy in my work and in my life. I have three young children, a family, and I want to do my best to make them feel good. Obviously it’s something different compared to England, in terms of mentality, climate, even a different way of living. It wasn’t easy to change after ten years in Manchester but now we’ve adapted, we’re fine. And we’re all happy.”
He was out for many months. Seen from the outside, what did Napoli lack to win the Scudetto?
“We had some difficult moments where we lost a few points. The middle part was very tough, we had several injuries and we didn’t play at our best in some games.”
Is Napoli-Milan only valid for second place?
“At the moment it’s like this, obviously everything depends on Inter, who have their destiny in their hands: if they win them all they will become champions. We can only give our all to try to win as many games as possible. A few weeks ago we were at minus 14, now we are at minus 7, it’s always very difficult but in football things change quickly. However, we shouldn’t think about this now, but concentrate on our objective which is to get into the top four and return to the Champions League next year. And then see what Inter will do. In the meantime, let’s think about winning Monday’s match.”
Modric? He is one of the best midfielders ever for me, he is a fantastic player and person
Napoli-Milan will also be the match between you and Luka Modric. What do you think of Luka?
“Top player! I know him well. I’ve faced him many times, I’ve spoken to him many times. He’s one of the best midfielders ever for me: obviously I can’t make comparisons between generations, but he’s certainly been in the last 20 years. I think I’ve faced him at least 20 times between Croatia and Madrid. Now with Milan. For me he’s a fantastic player, a fantastic person. And he has a great family.”
“I wouldn’t say friends, but I am Kovacic’s and they are very good friends. We often met.”
Is the Conte method really that harsh?
The expression is that of a seasoned actor. Ironic, smiling. Serene. It’s back with a new game system. What changes for her?
“There isn’t much difference. Even at the beginning of the season we often defended with five men with Matteo (Politano, ed.) lowering himself to help.”
He hasn’t scored from open play yet. Does it weigh on you?
“No, absolutely. I don’t give it much importance. I think I’ve played well in the past and also in these two games in which I returned: for me it’s important to make assists, build chances, have opportunities and this is happening.”
I read her some things her classmates have said about her. McTominay: “We are honored to have Kevin here with us.”
“It’s nice to hear it, but it’s the same for me. I’ve made my career, with what I’ve done, but I’m no different from them. I came here as a footballer and I often played against Scott in important matches. But yes, it’s nice to hear it from him…”.
Hojlund can become a top player, he has great qualities and is doing very well here
Hojlund: “With Kevin you have to think about running, you already know that the right ball will come.”
“I try, but I don’t know… every time someone makes a move, I try to serve them. I have to try to serve them, if you don’t give them the ball they’ll stop making a move and it would be worse for me too. He can become a top player, he has great qualities, he had a difficult time in Manchester but now he’s doing very well here. He’s still young, he has a lot of time ahead of him.”
Alisson wrote on social media that one day he will talk about playing with De Bruyne.
“This thing makes me feel a little old (he smiles, ed.). As I said before, I’m happy to hear these things. I try to give my best for myself and for the team, and since they are young, I hope maybe I can give some lessons that can help them in the future.”
Do you feel like a special player?
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘special’. I think I’m a good player, not a special person. I have my qualities as a player and like everyone I try to do my job as best as I can, but I don’t feel different from anyone else. Like I said, my career is my career, what I did is why people say that but that’s the past. Obviously it will help me in the future for a couple of things, but as a person I’m the same.”
“Sometimes very rigid, but I try to be available as much as possible for my children. It’s not easy given the situation, I can’t be a normal father. People recognize me and don’t leave me alone. I try, but it’s not easy to find the right balance.”
How do you feel about seeing your son play football?
“I like it, I’m proud. But I’m also proud when I see the other person riding, or my daughter dancing. I like to see them happy, doing what they want and what makes them feel good. Even the middle one likes to play football but I don’t put any pressure on them, they have to do what they love to do. I will always support them.”
Could Napoli be his last team?
“I don’t know, I don’t think about it now. I’m not that type of person, I still have a contract and I feel really good in Naples. I’m trying to enjoy the moment now, I think I can play for a few more years, then when my body tells me to stop, I will. But for now I feel good.”
What will I do when I stop? I will enjoy my family a little, who have made so many sacrifices for me. Then we’ll see…
And what’s in his future?
“When will I stop? I don’t know, really. There will certainly be nothing at the beginning, because I will want to enjoy my family a bit, who have made so many sacrifices for me. Then I will obviously have to find something to do. In the near future, however, I just want to continue playing football giving my all to stay at the highest level possible. I feel good, I’m happy and my family is happy for me.”
Do you still love football as much as when you started?
“No, I don’t think so. But I guess it’s normal after 30 years. Sometimes you lose a little interest, like in any job, I suppose.”
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