FOOTBALL

Kevin De Bruyne: I enjoyed my break – I became my kids’ taxi driver

Man City midfielder missed football during his four months out, but after ten years of playing non-stop he used the free time to prioritise family and friends
Paul Hirst
The Times
De Bruyne and his wife, Michele, have three children aged between three and seven, pictured here in June
De Bruyne and his wife, Michele, have three children aged between three and seven, pictured here in June
KEVINDEBRUYNE/INSTAGRAM
Paul Hirst
The Times

For some footballers, the idea of spending four months on the sidelines would be hellish, but not Kevin De Bruyne.

Of course, De Bruyne missed playing for Manchester City during that time, and the supporters missed him too judging by the standing ovation that they gave the 32-year-old when he returned to action on Sunday in the 5-0 FA Cup third-round win at home to Huddersfield Town.

But last August, when he had an operation to cure a hamstring complaint, De Bruyne resolved to spend his time away from football constructively, treating it almost like a sabbatical.

“To be honest, I enjoyed it in a way,” De Bruyne said when asked about how he coped without football. “At the beginning it was a big blow