Kevin De Bruyne, the midfield maestro for Manchester City and captain of the Belgian national team, is a household name in world football. His vision, passing, and long-range strikes have made him a modern-day legend. But what if we told you there was another path De Bruyne could have taken, a path that would have seen him lighting up the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) instead of the World Cup?
The reason for this alternate reality lies with De Bruyne’s heritage. While he was born and raised in Belgium, his mother, Anna De Bruyne, hails from Burundi, a nation in East Africa. This Burundian connection meant that young Kevin was eligible to represent not just Belgium, but also the “Swallows” of Burundi in international football.
Imagine a De Bruyne, not in the red of Belgium, but the green of Burundi. The prospect is both exciting and a little bittersweet. Burundi, currently ranked 139th in the FIFA rankings, has only recently begun to make its mark on the international stage. Their historic debut at the 2019 AFCON, where they shared a group with Nigeria, Guinea, and Madagascar, is a testament to their growing ambition.
With De Bruyne in their ranks, Burundi’s trajectory could have been significantly altered. His world-class talent would have undoubtedly elevated their team, potentially propelling them to greater heights in the AFCON. We can only speculate on the impact he would have had on the Burundian national team and the development of football in the country.
However, De Bruyne’s path ultimately led him to represent Belgium. He debuted for the Red Devils in 2010, effectively closing the door on playing for Burundi. Since then, he has become a mainstay for Belgium, leading them to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup and inheriting the captain’s armband from Eden Hazard in 2023.
While De Bruyne’s absence from the AFCON stage is a missed opportunity for Burundi, his success with Belgium is undeniable. He has been a key figure in their “golden generation,” a period of sustained excellence for Belgian football. His leadership and world-class talent have helped establish Belgium as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
The story of Kevin De Bruyne‘s dual eligibility serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the beautiful game. Players can forge their destinies on fields far from their ancestral homes, enriching the national teams they choose to represent. While fans of Burundi can only dream of what could have been, De Bruyne’s legacy as a Belgian legend remains secure.
This alternate reality also raises interesting questions about player development and national team identity. Would a young De Bruyne, raised in the Burundian footballing environment, have developed the same skillset? Would he have found the same level of success playing for a team with fewer resources and a lower global ranking?
