De Bruyne's heartfelt goodbye

After it was revealed that a statue would be erected outside the stadium in his memory, the 33-year-old declared he would "always be here" and go down as a Manchester City great.

 In City's 3-1 triumph over Bournemouth, captain De Bruyne, who is scheduled to leave this summer, started his final home game, although he bowed out in a rather pitiful way.

 A tragic conclusion to such a remarkable career, he had the opportunity to depart in style but missed a first-half sitter and was then substituted in the second half following Mateo Kovacic's dismissal.

In his remarks following the game, De Bruyne stated: "I wanted to play with emotion and with inventiveness.  I hope everyone enjoyed football as much as I did.

 "These guys in front of me have improved me beyond my previous self, and everyone has pushed me to be the best version of myself both inside and outside the club."

 "To play with these men is an honour.  I've made a lot of lifelong pals.

 The player has carved himself into the club's history books by winning an astounding 16 winners' medals during the ten-year partnership, which has brought City unprecedented success.

Nothing could ruin his spectacular farewell as City players, staff, and fans honoured their midfield master after the final whistle blew.

 "Everyone saw how much the Manchester City community cares for him and his family and how much love [they] have," Guardiola remarked.

 "There is nothing greater than leaving after ten years with this much respect and gratitude, even though titles and all he has accomplished are nice.

 "I am part of that, the club will take the decision, but it is a sad day and he will be missed, there is no doubt about that."

"I'm pretty sure Kevin wasn't a Man City fan when he came here, and I'm not sure who he supports, but I'm pretty sure he is a fan now and will be forever," Guardiola continued.

 "That is because of the connection between all the people and him."

De Bruyne, humble, 'earned' farewell

When 'The Boss' arrived in town one evening, 'The King' bid farewell for the last time.

 This was the most popular ticket of the day, even if famed US musician Bruce Springsteen could have been performing a few yards away at the Co-Op Live arena. De Bruyne's face was plastered everywhere you saw when you arrived at the stadium.

Supporters' jerseys and merchandise booths included scarves bearing De Bruyne's name, while the matchday program featured a mock-up of the player holding the Premier League trophy crown.

 Prior to kickoff, City had declared that they had named a road and placed a mosaic in De Bruyne's honour at the club's academy.

 It was also appropriate for a playwright who has produced such artistic works on grass to have a massive mural of him painted in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

After the Seven Nations Army's cries of 'ohh Kevin De Bruyne' subsided, there was a flurry of excitement whenever he touched the ball, hoping he would show off a goal or an assist one final time on their pitch.

 He was given the ball on a platter, a few yards out from an open goal, but De Bruyne scooped it onto the bar in slow motion. The big moment could not have been more carefully arranged.

 As the ideal finale went astray, the 33-year-old, the returning Rodri on the bench, and the City supporters everywhere had their heads in their hands.

"It's terrible," De Bruyne remarked about the miss.  "No justifications exist.  Today, my son is going to be really hard on me.

 A montage of his greatest moments from the last ten years appeared on the screen during full time, accompanied by messages from players including Pablo Zabaleta, Raheem Sterling, Vincent Kompany, and Sergio Aguero.

 When De Bruyne returned to the pitch with his wife and children on his side, he was accorded a guard of honour.

 Then the flood of feeling began.

During his statement in the centre of the park, the former Chelsea player and a distraught Guardiola both found it difficult to remain composed.

 Supporters chanted, "We want you to stay, Kevin de Bruyne, we want you to stay," but it seems like there is no turning back as he led his teammates on a lap of gratitude before leaving for the final time.

Micah Richards, a former City defender, stated: "He lets his football speak for itself.  Although he is a very timid person, I have met him throughout the years and have always been impressed by his humility and skill as a player.

 "He deserves to be sent off.  His performance in the Premier League is simply amazing, and everyone who has played with him has nothing but praise for him.