The metronome ticks as usual. After months of rehabilitation, Kevin De Bruyne’s return to the FA Cup against Huddersfield is approaching. His serious hamstring injury transformed him into a new footballer, after a complete physical and mental recovery. A look at KDB’s path to return.
“Until we meet again.”
Words of redemption on Kevin De Bruyne’s latest Instagram post. Fortunately for the midfielder, Friday 11 August 2023 is already behind us.
In the opening Premier League match against Burnley, his hamstrings gave out again. “Like wet rags,” he described the strength of his muscles, which had tormented him for months.
An operation was necessary. The first step on a long journey towards the return.
(Continue reading below the Instagram post)
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Mental reset
“The news of my injury was a hard physical and mental blow to me,” shares KDB on crutches post-surgery.
Experts briefly doubted whether wet wipes could regain strength naturally, but Dr. Geert Declercq finally made the decision.
Objective: to return to calling himself a footballer after New Year’s Eve. With renowned physiotherapist Lieven Maesschalck at his side, this is no utopia.
What represents the greatest challenge of many players’ careers is the moment when De Bruyne hits the reset button.
Major maintenance, just like you would with a car. Physically, for sure. But also mentally.
At the end of the summer, Manchester City’s Belgian metronome is quietly working on his return to the top level. In the meantime he enjoys his duties as a father and tries to convince his wife to play top football for a few more years.
And then suddenly he shows up twice in Abu Dhabi in October and November.
De Bruyne is spotted at a UFC camp for the first time. Subsequently he accompanies the Formula 1 circus.
Surprising: The treble winner steals the show with some dancing and a new look. Ronaldo Nazario has the honor of admiring KDB’s long hair up close in conversation.
Every public performance is always accompanied by laughter. No, the new life off the pitch hasn’t done our compatriot any harm.
More sustainable footballer
Anyone who looks past the haircut and wall-to-wall smile will also notice that Kevin De Bruyne is as sharp as ever.
“He will follow a more specific diet and also modify his pre-match rituals,” said Sam Lee, an English journalist for The Athletic who follows Manchester City closely.
De Bruyne leaves the chatter behind and focuses more on the physical.
Sam Lee, The Athletic
All this to become a more sustainable footballer.
De Bruyne loudly dreams of ending his career with the current CL winner. Then he can’t afford a season like the previous one.
“He needed more mental rest before a game,” Lee shares. “Just before the warm-up you had a quiet chat with the staff members. Now you leave all that aside to focus on the physical aspect.”
Massages, injury prevention and muscle activation. The midfielder must return to being the top player of the past.
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The buzz during the warm-up against Sheffield shows that fans are eagerly awaiting King Kev’s return.
It is up to the Belgian to turn that anticipation into performance on the pitch. Something he had clearly already taken precautions for.
“I tried to find a way to get back to my best level. And I’m sure I’ll be fine when I get back on the pitch,” he assures.
Manager Pep Guardiola has already ensured that KDB, just like Jeremy Doku, is fully fit for the FA Cup match against Huddersfield.
Everything suggests that “see you soon” will become “see you this afternoon”.
The FA Cup of the Emirates
Manchester CityHuddersfield Town
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2024-01-07 07:30:10
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