To try and summarise the transformational role played by Kevin de Bruyne on and off the pitch at Manchester City in the space of around 200 words is next to an impossible task.
That in itself is testament to his mammoth achievements over the past decade.
We are not just talking about one of Manchester City's finest footballers, but perhaps the finest ever at a club that has boasted the likes of Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee and Francis Lee of a previous generation, and David Silva, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, and Fernandinho of more recent times.
This is also paying homage to a player that has redefined the global image of the Premier League, inspired an entire generation, acted as a role model for those rising in the game, and to a human being that is respected by all those within the game, and all those who watch on from the stands and beyond.
From the endless list of mouth-gapingly good assists to the big-game moments that drove Pep Guardiola's operation to unprecedented success, nothing achieved by Manchester City would have been possible without De Bruyne's involvement.
Whether that was the team-splitting assist against Stoke City back in 2017, four goals against Wolves at Molineux, a strike from distance at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid, altering the course of history against Aston Villa on the final day of the Premier League… We really could go on.
And what does the future hold? Who can possibly replace Kevin de Bruyne in a Manchester City shirt? The short answer is nobody. But you can get close in terms of importance to a team.
Those in charge of such a mammoth task can simply cut no corners, both financially and in terms of personnel.
From Manchester to you, Kevin: Thank you for everything!
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