Dare-devil robbers burgle De Bruyne’s mansion in Belgium
Thieves stormed and vandalized the home of Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne on Saturday while he was away with the team for the Club World cup in Saudi Arabia.
The Manchester City star, his wife Michele and their three children were not at the property at the time of the raid.
Belgian media HLN said items had been taken but no further details were available. The thieves used a ladder to reach the first floor of the property in Bolderberg, Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.
De Bruyne, 32, bought the 70-acre property in 2015 and built a natural white stone villa, which was completed in February 2019.
The house has a swimming pool, jacuzzi and basketball court.
De Bruyne and his City team-mates flew to Saudi Arabia for the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday night after a 2-2 Premier League draw against Crystal Palace.
HLN said the De Bruyne family only use the property sporadically when they visit Belgium and spend most of their time in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
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The midfielder missed Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury, but watched from the stands at the Etihad Stadium.
But he was part of Pep Guardiola’s 23-man squad that left for the Middle East for the Club World Cup on Saturday night.
City will face Japanese side Urawa Reds in their semi-final on Tuesday and it remains to be seen if he will be fit to play any part.
De Bruyne played in the FA Community Shield against Arsenal at the start of the season before being forced off in City’s opening Premier League match against Burnley.
The hamstring problem required surgery and De Bruyne is only now getting closer to returning to action.
He said over the weekend: ‘It’s going very well. I had surgery, it was a big injury. But we’re getting closer – closer to the new year (his original return date).
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“I’m doing very well and I hope to get back on the field soon. I want to be the best. It just doesn’t stop (ambition). I want to be in the best team, I want to be the best player in the world. I still have motivation every day.
“Even after being out for four months, I’ve tried to find ways to change myself as a player so I can continue doing what I did before.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine once I get back on the field. I hope to continue playing good football and that’s enough.”
City lost ground in the Premier League title race after Crystal Palace came back from two goals down to draw at the Etihad on Saturday.
Meanwhile Manchester City landed in Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup and Erling Haaland is with them despite recent health problems.
Man city stars announced their touch down in Saudi Arabia.
The club posted a photo of their stars lining up on the stairs of a City-branded Etihad plane in Jeddah.
As well as Haaland, fans were delighted to see Kevin De Bruyne among the traveling party after being recently named in the squad.
City will kick off their Club World Cup campaign against Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday at 6pm and hope to lift the trophy for the first time.
Pep Guardiola’s men only have to get through that semi-final clash against the Asian Champions League winners to play the key match.
Haaland was excluded from City’s squad at the weekend as they drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace.