

Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has said he is unlikely to play in this summer’s Club World Cup with the club.
De Bruyne announced in April that he would leave City after 10 years at the Etihad that saw him win six Premier League titles, as well as the club’s maiden Champions League in 2023.
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The 33-year-old’s city contract is set to expire at the end of June, while the revamped 32-team Club World Cup is scheduled to June 14 to July 13 in the United States.
De Bruyne said that no decision has been made on his participation at the tournament, but said it is likely that he will not be part of the travelling squad and added that the situation “makes no sense.
“It doesn’t make any sense, but I think that happens when you push in new tournaments in the middle of this contract situation,” De Bruyne said after City’s FA Cup final defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday. I think in a way 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 probably that I won’t play it, but I don’t know, maybe yes.
“I’m just a player. I don’t make the rules, I can’t do anything about it. So in the end, like I said, I’ll probably have to take care of myself.
De Bruyne also said that it would “probably” be up to both him and the club on whether he plays at the competition and that he has not made a decision on his next club yet.
The Athletic reported earlier this month that the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer (MLS) are the favourites to sign the Belgium international.
“I don’t care about status,” he said. “I want to be happy and play good football. Status? What does it mean? Because that comes and goes. I just want to enjoy and still play some football in the future and status can come whenever I’m done and I can enjoy my life.”
De Bruyne has made 420 appearances for City in all competitions, scoring 108 goals and providing 177 assists.
Pep Guardiola’s side return to action on Tuesday when they host Bournemouth in the Premier League.
(Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
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