Football star Kevin De Bruyne expressed a long-standing desire to play for Liverpool, and defender Virgil van Dijk attempted to facilitate this move.
Rivalry Turned Friendship: The Unlikely Bromance Between De Bruyne and Van Dijk
The pitch might have seen the duo clash as rivals, but off it, Kevin De Bruyne and Virgil van Dijk share an unexpected camaraderie. While rumors emerged recently about a potential move for De Bruyne to Liverpool, reports suggest they're wide off the mark.
Remember when those hopes seemed a reality? Van Dijk, the Reds' captain, and De Bruyne himself yearned for this union back in the day. The two have formed a strong bond despite their clubs, Liverpool and Manchester City, battling fiercely for Premier League titles.
Growing up, De Bruyne confessed to being a Liverpool fan and even held Michael Owen in high regard. In an old video, a young De Bruyne expressed his dreams of playing for the Reds someday.
Flash forward to 2019, he confirmed his days as a Liverpool fan and spoke of his admiration for Owen. Their children even attend the same school, deepening their bond.
Another common ground they found was their love for electronic music. Pictures of them partying in Ibiza with Calvin Harris, a renowned DJ, evidence their shared interest.
In an interview with Gary Neville, Van Dijk chose De Bruyne as the one rival player he'd want on his team. The admiration seemed mutual, with De Bruyne expressing his desire to play with Van Dijk a year later.
In 2024, De Bruyne returned the favor, expressing his wish to play alongside Van Dijk, calling him 'the complete package'. Both were set to become free agents this summer at their clubs.
However, Van Dijk recently signed a two-year contract with Liverpool, while De Bruyne left Man City. Speculations of De Bruyne joining Liverpool have since surfaced, but they seem unlikely.
If he does decide to move, De Bruyne could potentially add another FA Cup to his impressive trophy haul, should City win against Crystal Palace later this month.
Over his 418 appearances for Man City, De Bruyne has netted 108 goals and provided 177 assists. Despite rumors of a Premier League move, it remains unclear whether he'll join forces with his pal, Van Dijk, at Liverpool.
- Despite their rivaling clubs in the Premier League, Kevin De Bruyne and Virgil van Dijk share an unusual camaraderie, reminiscent of a bromance that started on the football pitch.
- As children, De Bruyne revealed his dream of playing for Liverpool and held Michael Owen in high esteem - a Liverpool fanatic at heart.
- In the European leagues, their clubs, Liverpool and Manchester City, compete fiercely for prestigious titles like the Premier League and Champions League.
- A shared love for electronic music has brought them even closer; the duo has been spotted partying with Calvin Harris, a legendary DJ.
- In an interview, Van Dijk chose De Bruyne as the one rival player he'd want on his team, and De Bruyne reciprocated a year later, expressing his desire to play with Van Dijk.
- In 2024, although both were set to become free agents, Van Dijk signed a two-year contract with Liverpool, while De Bruyne left Man City.
- Speculations of De Bruyne joining Liverpool for a potential Premier League move have arisen, but no concrete decision has been made, leaving the possibility of him joining forces with Van Dijk unclear.
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