De Bruyne 'deserves to leave like a champion'

KEVIN de Bruyne can add another honour to his haul as Manchester City’s most decorated player of all time with a fitting farewell in today’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace (5.30pm SA time start).

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The Belgian's trophy-littered decade in Manchester will come to an end at the conclusion of the Premier League season.

But Wembley's showpiece is the 33-year-old's final chance to lift silverware at the club where he grew into one of world's best players.

A six-time Premier League winner, De Bruyne could add a third FA Cup to his five League Cups and 2023 Champions League win with City.

He has expressed his “surprise” that City did not seek to extend his stay, filled with the belief that he can still perform at the highest level.

De Bruyne rolled back the years when City rallied from 2-0 down to thrash Palace 5-2 just last month with a goal and an assist.

City will be hoping for more of the same to give him a fitting farewell and save some face from a season to forget for Pep Guardiola's men.