Kevin De Bruyne Excited for World Cup Clash with Mohamed Salah

De Bruyne Looks Forward to World Cup Opener Against Egypt

Seattle [US], June 14: As Belgium gears up for their FIFA World Cup opener against Egypt, star player Kevin de Bruyne expressed his enthusiasm about facing off against former Premier League adversary Mohamed Salah. He also reflected on how his experience as a veteran enhances his enjoyment of representing his national team.

Belgium, who secured third place in the 2018 World Cup, will kick off their quest for their first World Cup title against Egypt on Monday. De Bruyne, who made his international debut in 2010, has witnessed significant moments with the national team. In his first World Cup in 2014, Belgium reached the quarterfinals after a 12-year absence from the tournament. Although they fell short in the following edition, they improved their standing with a third-place finish, only to exit in the group stage during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

In a press conference ahead of the match, De Bruyne stated, "I believe I am at a stage in my career where I can appreciate playing for my country even more." He elaborated, "When I was younger, my sole focus was on playing football without considering the external factors. Now, I have a clearer understanding of what it means to represent my country for the fourth time at a World Cup. It’s a privilege to still be here after 16 years with the national team, which indicates I have accomplished something significant!"

The upcoming match will also mark a reunion of former Premier League rivals, as De Bruyne, now with Napoli, has faced Salah multiple times during their Premier League battles while at Manchester City. He shared insights about his relationship with the Egyptian star, noting that their children attended the same school and describing Salah as a "great guy."

"It will be wonderful to see him again and compete like we used to," De Bruyne added.