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De Bruyne says Qatar World Cup could be his last

Kevin De Bruyne: 'It is big but there is no point to stress about it'
Kevin De Bruyne: 'It is big but there is no point to stress about it'

Kevin De Bruyne admits next month's World Cup could be his last and he wants his kids to see him perform on the biggest stage.

The Belgium international remains relaxed ahead of the start of the tournament next month after scoring the winner in Manchester City's 1-0 victory at Leicester on Saturday.

De Bruyne's family will travel to Qatar for Belgium's Group F games against Canada, Morocco and Croatia.

The 31-year-old played for Belgium when they finished third in Russia four years ago and reached the quarter-finals in Brazil in 2014 but knows this is likely to be his last chance with his national team.

He said: "My family are going over for the group stages. I am obviously 31 and I don't know what will happen in four years. This is the first time my kids can come to the World Cup.

"That is why they are coming. It will be special, an event I don't want them to miss. They are six, four and two. The eldest two of them follow the football a bit but the daughter, not really, but she can go and enjoy the sun and play in the pool.

"I am excited. It will be the third one and it is always special. These events are great as everyone is watching it. It is big but there is no point to stress about it. It is my third time, I understand what is coming and I cannot speak for someone else who will be there for the first time.

"It is unknown [the timing]. There is no point worrying about it or thinking about it. You take it as it comes and try and play as well as possible. We are not talking about it with team-mates. The schedule is too hectic. We had two away games quickly after each other."

Victory at the King Power Stadium - thanks to De Bruyne's stunning free-kick - moved City top on Saturday before Arsenal regained the lead after thumping Nottingham Forest 5-0 24 hours later.

Manager Pep Guardiola also said De Bruyne was back on form having urged his star to up his game earlier in the week.

"We had a brief conversation but not a big one. Just the usual stuff. I tried to play as good as possible," said the former Chelsea man.

"We play so many games and it is so hectic, the schedule so difficult, some games are better than others. I am fairly happy with the way I play. Can you do better? Yes, of course, but I do not take it too much as criticism.

"You just want to be the best version of yourself you can be. I still feel confident in what I am doing."

Lukaku is Belgium's all-time top scorer with 68 goals in 102 appearances

Meanwhile striker Romelu Lukaku has injured his hamstring again after making a comeback from two months on the sidelines, three weeks before the World Cup kicks off in Qatar.

Lukaku, on loan at Inter from Chelsea, returned to action in the Champions League group game last week against Viktoria Plzen - in which he scored - and played in the weekend Serie A clash with Sampdoria, getting on the pitch for 29 minutes across both matches.

"This morning, Romelu Lukaku underwent tests at the Humanitas Institute in Rozzano. They revealed that the Belgian has suffered a myotendinous strain in his left hamstring," Inter said in a statement.

"His condition will be reassessed in a few days."

But an ankle injury towards the end of last season and the hamstring problem prevented him from playing in five of their six Nations League matches as Belgium missed out on a spot in the finals.