Jamie Carragher has suggested Manchester City winning the Champions League will catapult Kevin De Bruyne to ‘all-time’ status, believing he’s the best passer of a ball in his 40 years of watching football.
The Belgian last night came in clutch for City, who came from behind to draw 1-1 with Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
City were trailing thanks to a wonderful goal from Vinicius Jr in the first-half.
But Pep Guardiola’s side didn’t panic.
And De Bruyne stepped up to equalise with a thunderbolt of an effort from the edge of the area.
De Bruyne is a big game player, and seriously stepped up last night when City needed him to.
The £55 million star has produced some amazing moments in a City shirt down the years. And he is arguably the best midfielder in the world right now, and one of the best players period.
De Bruyne was the subject of discussion last night on CBS Golazo, with Carragher talking about his potential to be seen as the best midfielder football has ever seen.
He believes the 32-year-old ‘needs’ the Champions League in order to be considered.
He said: “If he could be the man who takes them to the Champions League, the Treble… it elevates him. Even if we’re only talking about him being his normal self in two other games, like the second leg and the final.
“We’re not questioning his ability. But in terms of where we rank players, we always judge players in the biggest moment, in the biggest tournaments.
“You’ve got to do it in the biggest moments, and he’s delivered tonight. If he could do it again in the final, then I think we’re talking about him not just being one of the best midfielders of his generation. He could go down as one of the best midfielders we’ve seen.”
“I’ve probably been watching football 30 or 40 years. I’ve never seen a better passer of the ball than Kevin De Bruyne. But he just needs that Champions League. He needs to have it.”
Carragher’s co-pundit Thierry Henry branded De Bruyne the most clever player he has ever seen.
Champions League title will seal ‘greatest midfielder ever’ status for Kevin De Bruyne
Carragher is probably right about De Bruyne needing a Champions League title.
The maestro is an incredible player. But there is just something about when players can say they’ve won the biggest prize in club football.
For many, De Bruyne doesn’t need it for them to view him as the best midfielder of all time.
But perhaps subconsciously, him being a Champions League winner would elevate him above some of the other greats like Andres Iniesta, Zinedine Zidane and Andres Iniesta.
