The award is just the latest in a series of accolades for our midfield marvel who, earlier this month, was voted as the Club’s official Etihad Player of the Season.
De Bruyne also provided 20 assists in our league season to win his second Premier League Playmaker award and in doing so equalled Thierry Henry’s 17-year record for the highest number of assists in a single campaign.
Guardiola knows better than most about the extraordinary game-changing qualities of the 29-year old.
And the Catalan – himself a midfielder of world renown during his own illustrious playing career – was unequivocal in his verdict as to what De Bruyne has brought both to City and the game in general.
“Kevin is one of the best players I have ever seen in my life. He can do everything, absolutely everything,” the City boss asserted.
“He has something unique. He can run, the vision he has… right now he is the best.
“He is a top, top quality player and we are so proud and happy that he is with us.
“Kevin is so professional, and he loves to play football and he lives for that.
“He’s able to see something special and you have the spaces no-one else can see but even with that he’s still improving and improving.”
Guardiola’s praise and admiration was echoed by former France and Arsenal legend Henry, who worked closely with De Bruyne when he was part of the Belgian coaching staff.
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Henry – now in charge of MLS outfit Montreal Impact - described De Bruyne as being from ‘another planet’ and hailed KDB as
“He’s an amazing player, it’s just stupid what we are witnessing, and I hope people in football do realise that the boy is just not normal,” Henry declared.
“His brain is somewhere else, it’s just ridiculous.
“I came across him (with Belgium) and worked with him and he’s one of those guys you just have to let play because if you start to understand and comprehend what he’s doing, you’re going to have a headache. He’s on another planet”
“He is an incredible player, what he shows us is madness!”
De Bruyne’s enormous impact also elicited a handsome tribute from another legendary European figure – ex Barcelona and Spain midfield maestro Xavi.
“Pep’s teams win as teams, but even the most special sides need that player to look to when they need something special,” Xavi said.
“At Barcelona we had it with Messi and this team Manchester City have it with De Bruyne.
“Every time he has the ball, you get the feeling that he is going to do something special with it.”
On the domestic front, Guardiola’s Chelsea counterpart Frank Lampard also paid fulsome praise to De Bruyne’s ability, vision, and comfort on the ball.
“Kevin plays like a superstar. To the naked eye he may not look like a Messi or a Ronaldo – you don’t see a 100 stepovers all the time,” said the Chelsea manager who spent a season playing at City in 2014/15.
“But what you do see is an amazing receiver of the ball – look how he swivels – his first touch puts things on a plate. All his decisions are right.”
That admiration and professional respect was echoed by respected BBC pundit and former England captain Alan Shearer.
The ex-Newcastle centre forward and all-time leading Premier League goal-scorer was hugely complimentary about the way KDB helps shape and influence all around him.
“He’s unbelievable, that right foot is absolutely deadly, and he provides ridiculous entertainment. The speed of his feet and to have the ability [to score],” Shearer declared.
“When you’re a forward, he finds you and the weight of his pass in behind is superb.
“Whatever it is, he can do it. What a player, what a season, he’s unbelievable.”
