Update: |Kevin De Bruyne’s incredible net worth, how he met wife on Twitter, plans after Man City News

Kevin De Bruyne will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on a decade of trophy-laden success at the Etihad Stadium

Kevin De Bruyne has announced he’ll be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season, and while the news wasn’t unexpected – it was nonetheless a gut punch for the Etihad Stadium faithful.

The Belgian virtuoso, who joined City in 2015, departs with a trophy-laden legacy: six Premier League, a Champions League triumph, and an incredible 166 assists that often transformed games into poetry in motion.

Pep Guardiola described him as “one of the greatest” to play in England’s top tier – a view shared by fans, pundits, team-mates, and even opponents who’ve watched him orchestrate attacks with pinpoint precision for nearly a decade.

His departure signifies the end of a remarkable era. But the 33-year-old, turning 34 in June, isn’t calling it quits just yet. Here, MEN explores his wealth, romantic journey, and what lies ahead for this ginger-haired genius.

Net worth

De Bruyne’s wealth is as impressive as his accolades. With a net worth reportedly around £55million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, the Belgium international has amassed a fortune fitting for someone who’s been the heartbeat of Guardiola’s all-conquering side.

Since 2021, he’s been earning a staggering £400,000 each week – more than any other Premier League player. Prior to that, he was taking home £280,000-a-week from 2018 to 2021, a significant jump from his original £150,000-a-week contract when he arrived at City.

Away from football, De Bruyne’s business game is just as sharp. Sponsorship deals with brands like Nike, EA Sports, and a McDonald’s ad campaign in Belgium have significantly boosted his earnings.

Sliding into his wife’s DMs

They say behind every great man is an ever greater woman – and for De Bruyne, that woman is Michele Lacroix. Their story began in true modern fashion – on social media.

In 2013, while on loan at Werder Bremen from Chelsea, his ‘game’ off the field didn’t quite match his game on it. However, a friend convinced him to take a shot and send a Twitter DM to Michele after she favourited one of his posts.

That move turned out to be life-changing – sparking a relationship that blossomed alongside his climb through German and later English football. “A friend told me a footballer was talking about me,” Michele shared, remembering how quickly De Bruyne won her over.

“It started with a tweet,” De Bruyne recalled. “I only had a few thousand followers at the time, because I was still on loan at Werder Bremen. So I tweeted something about a match or whatever, and this pretty girl favourited it.

“I was single at the time, and my friend noticed it. So he said, ‘She looks like a nice girl, no? You should send her a message.’ And I literally said to him, ‘No, no, no. Come on. People don’t like me. They don’t get me. She won’t respond.’

“So he grabbed my phone and started tapping out a message. He showed me the phone and said, ‘Come on, can I hit send?’ I was probably on the floor, cringing, but for some reason I said, ‘Okay fine, send it.’

“Says it all, no? I’m supposed to be this big footballer, and I didn’t even have the heart to slide into my future wife’s DMs! I didn’t dare! But thankfully, he sent the message for me, and she responded. We got to know each other over text for a few months.

“It’s a lot easier for me once I get to know someone, so after that, I was good. It really was a beautiful thing. She changed my life in so many ways. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without her.”

Their relationship officially began in 2014, and by 2016, De Bruyne had popped the question beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower. A dreamy Italian wedding followed a few months later. The couple are now parents to three children: Mason, Rome, and Suri.

Next club

While De Bruyne’s time in Manchester is nearing its conclusion, where he plays next remains an open question. Although many clubs would love to add his talents, his hefty wages and injury history might make some hesitate.

Teams in the Saudi Pro League are seen as serious contenders, having already initiated talks and proposed contracts that match his stature. Across the Atlantic, MLS has been floated as a possibility – San Diego FC were once linked with a move – but that scenario now appears less likely.

In Europe, heavyweights like Inter Milan and Bayern Munich – the latter of whom are coached by De Bruyne’s former City colleague Vincent Kompany – could offer a compelling blend of top-level competition with a less physically taxing environment than the Premier League.

There’s also been quiet talk of a sentimental return, either to Wolfsburg – where he enjoyed a stellar stint and won Bundesliga Player of the Year – or back to Belgium to finish his career on home soil.

As De Bruyne hinted back in November: “As long as I feel I can make a difference, I can play at the top level.” Whatever decision he makes, the next chapter in his remarkable story is sure to be just as captivating as the ones before it.