Kevin De Bruyne Opens Up on Tearful Celebration Against Real Madrid and Emotional Clash with Pep Guardiola

‘It Was an Absolute Mess‘ – Man City’s Treble Hero Reveals the Pain Behind the Glory

When Kevin De Bruyne thumped the ball into the net at the Santiago Bernabéu with the kind of fury and precision only he could summon, it was easy to assume it was just another brilliant moment from a generational footballer. But behind that thunderous equaliser against Real Madrid, and the now-famous outburst at Pep Guardiola that followed a week later, was a story few outside Manchester City’s inner circle knew at the time — one of grief, exhaustion, and emotional turmoil.

As the Belgian midfielder prepares to bring his glittering City chapter to a close, he’s finally shared the full weight of what he was carrying during those unforgettable Champions League semi-finals in 2023. And it puts one of the club’s greatest triumphs into painfully human perspective.

A Career Highlight Wrapped in Grief

De Bruyne was on the pitch at the Bernabéu

“I think it was probably one of the best weeks and the worst that I’ve ever had in my life,” De Bruyne said in his farewell interview with City.

On the surface, that two-legged tie against Madrid was career-defining. De Bruyne scored a stunner in the Spanish capital to rescue a 1-1 draw in the first leg, then helped orchestrate a 4-0 demolition job back in Manchester — one of City’s most dominant performances under Guardiola. From there, they went on to beat Inter Milan in the final and complete a historic treble.

But off the pitch, De Bruyne was dealing with something far heavier than the pressure of knockout football. “My wife’s grandfather, who was really close to us, was dealing with cancer,” he said. “He was in really bad pain, and a lot of people had already said their goodbyes.”

De Bruyne, in the midst of a crucial season run-in, hadn’t had the chance. So, on the Sunday before the first leg in Madrid, he made a last-minute trip to Belgium to say farewell. “Then on Monday I had to fly here, train in the morning, then fly to Madrid,” he recalled. That same evening, his wife’s grandfather passed away.

‘An Absolute Mess’

De Bruyne in private

There was no time to grieve. Just two days later, De Bruyne was on the pitch at the Bernabéu, delivering one of his most memorable goals in a sky blue shirt. But the chaos didn’t end there.

Before the return leg in Manchester, another devastating blow struck. “At the time of his funeral, my grandmother died,” he said. “So I had to drive five hours to say goodbye to her. It was an absolute mess.”

In hindsight, it’s no wonder his emotions spilled out in unpredictable ways — most notably when he was caught on camera yelling “shut up” at Guardiola during the second leg. At the time, the outburst became a talking point online. Was it a rare moment of player-coach friction? A sign of nerves? A breakdown in communication?

In truth, it was the result of a man simply holding himself together with sheer willpower.

“There’s that clip where I got angry with Pep in the Madrid game because I was all over the place,” De Bruyne admitted. “I just played on pure emotion, no sleep. I did what I had to do to play football.”

Pep’s Perspective

Guardiola, ever the perfectionist, had also addressed the moment after the game. At 2-0 up, he felt the team was rushing needlessly. “Kevin made three transitions that weren’t necessary,” Pep explained. “We rushed a lot when we had to do the opposite — sink them and turn them.”

But he added that such moments are normal in the heat of battle, especially with so much on the line. What the world didn’t know then was the emotional battle De Bruyne had already fought just to be on the pitch.

Quiet Support from a Legend

After the game, French legend Thierry Henry — now a respected pundit and former Belgium assistant — revealed he had spoken to De Bruyne in private. Though he didn’t share the full details, Henry made it clear the conversation had left an impression.

“It was a touching moment,” he said. “From what he said to me, I even more respect how he played tonight and how he came and battled with his team.”

One Final Game in Blue

Now, with City’s 2024-25 campaign winding down, De Bruyne is preparing for one final outing for the club — against Fulham — before moving on. His contract technically runs until June 30, but the midfielder is expected to depart before the Club World Cup and won’t be staying in England. A move abroad seems all but certain.

After nine years of excellence in Manchester, De Bruyne departs not just as a club legend but as a symbol of modern football done right: relentless, intelligent, and utterly devoted to the cause.

Yet in pulling back the curtain on that defining night against Madrid, he’s reminded us of something more profound — that footballers, no matter how clinical on the pitch, carry the same weight as the rest of us off it.

The Man Behind the Magic

Kevin De Bruyne will be remembered for his genius on the ball, his laser-sharp assists, and his knack for the spectacular. But it’s this glimpse into his vulnerability — this “absolute mess” of a week that ended with Champions League glory — that might just reveal the real magic.

Because anyone can score goals. But doing it while your world is falling apart? That takes something truly special.