Will Kevin De Bruyne receive a medal if Manchester City win the FIFA Club World Cup? Many have been asking on Google ahead of the tournament in Saudi Arabia.
The Belgium international has been named in the 23-man squad by Pep Guardiola as the Citizens prepare to take part in the prestigious competition.
However, the 32-year-old is not actually expected to play.
So, should Kevin De Bruyne not make it onto the pitch, does he still get a medal if Manchester City win the FIFA Club World Cup? Let’s take a look…
Will Kevin De Bruyne receive a medal if Manchester City win the FIFA Club World Cup?
Well, this is really up to Manchester City to decide – if De Bruyne does not play.
FIFA will present the winning club with a set of medals to distribute amongst their 23-man squad.
If De Bruyne does end up making an appearance in Saudi Arabia, the Belgian will definitely get a medal.
However – even if the Manchester City No.17 does not play any part – he would still be allowed to receive a medal having been named in the original squad by Guardiola.
Unfortunately, there is no actual source which states how many medals the winning side receives.
Sometimes – as Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp experienced in the FA Cup – the organisation does not allocate enough medals, leading to a request being submitted for more.
However – judging by this photo from last season’s FIFA Club World Cup – every Real Madrid player can be seen with a medal, even those on the fringes of the team, so it would appear FIFA hand out a medal for each of the 23 squad members and also coaches, as Carlo Ancelotti is also wearing one.
Therefore, De Bruyne should receive a medal if Manchester City win the FIFA Club World Cup – regardless of whether he actually plays or not.
That will surely please Manchester City fans.
Even though the Belgian has been unable to help out this season, his efforts last term played a huge part in Manchester City winning the UEFA Champions League – which secured the Citizens a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup.
Therefore, De Bruyne has as much right as anybody to a FIFA Club World Cup medal – perhaps that is why Guardiola named him in the squad in the first place.
Manchester City will not – however – be allowed to wear the FIFA Champions Badge in the Premier League if they win the FIFA Club World Cup.
(Correction: The Premier League have since made the surprise decision to allow the FIFA Champions Badge to be worn by Manchester City)
