Over the course of his glittering career, Kevin De Bruyne has shared the pitch with some of the best players in the modern era. From his early days at Chelsea and Genk to becoming a talisman at Manchester City and a key part of Belgium’s golden generation, De Bruyne’s list of teammates reads like a who’s who of elite footballers.
Recently, the Belgian maestro named his Ultimate XI of former teammates—a lineup packed with legends from across his career. Here's a closer look at De Bruyne's picks and what he had to say about them.
🧤 Goalkeeper: Petr Čech
“For me, in goal, you have to choose between Thibaut (Courtois), Ederson and (Petr) Cech. How can you choose? I'm going to say Cech based on his whole career and playing 15 to 20 years. The others can do the same after.”
Having briefly shared a dressing room with Čech at Chelsea, De Bruyne paid tribute to the Czech goalkeeper’s longevity and impact. Čech's record with Chelsea, including four Premier League titles and a Champions League crown, makes him a worthy choice.
🛡️ Defenders
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Right-back: Kyle Walker
“Right-back I would take Kyle Walker: unbelievable, powerful and speed.”
A consistent presence in City’s dominant era, Walker’s athleticism and recovery pace have been crucial in Pep Guardiola’s setup.
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Centre-back: Vincent Kompany & John Terry
“Centre-back I would take Vinny (Vincent Kompany). He still counts as a player, or is he a manager? I could choose (Aymeric) Laporte or John Terry, Jan Vertonghen or Toby Alderweireld. If you go on career, probably John Terry.”
Kompany, City’s legendary captain, was the heartbeat of the team that won four league titles. Paired with Chelsea great John Terry, this duo combines leadership, strength, and tactical intelligence.
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Left-back: Benjamin Mendy
“The best and the craziest is probably (Benjamin) Mendy.”
Though his time at City was inconsistent, Mendy’s on-pitch explosiveness and off-pitch character made a lasting impression on De Bruyne.
⚙️ Midfielders
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Defensive Midfield: Fernandinho
“The most underrated player is Fernandinho. A lot of people don't know what he does unless you play with him. He's also 35 (actually 34) and you see what he does – it's crazy!”
Fernandinho’s intelligence and positional play allowed City’s creative talents to flourish, and De Bruyne’s admiration for him reflects the Brazilian’s often overlooked brilliance.
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Central Midfield: David Silva & Frank Lampard
“I would take David Silva and (Frank) Lampard, two guys I played with for a few minutes. Offensive players.”
Silva was De Bruyne’s creative partner in the early Pep years, while Lampard, though they overlapped briefly, left a deep impression with his goal-scoring ability from midfield.
🎯 Forwards
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Left Wing: Eden Hazard
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Right Wing: Raheem Sterling
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Striker: Sergio Agüero
“I have to choose Eden (Hazard), Kun (Sergio Aguero) and Raheem (Sterling).”
Hazard, De Bruyne’s longtime national teammate, brought magic to the Belgian attack. At City, Sterling and Agüero were prolific and dynamic, forming lethal partnerships with De Bruyne and benefitting from his elite passing range.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Kevin De Bruyne’s Best XI is a perfect reflection of the different eras of his career. It's a team that blends Premier League icons, national team legends, and some of Manchester City’s greatest-ever players. From Čech’s dominance in goal to the attacking trio of Hazard, Agüero, and Sterling, it’s a lineup worthy of any elite competition.
One thing’s for sure—when Kevin De Bruyne calls you one of his best-ever teammates, you’re in esteemed company.