[Sport] Erling Haaland's status as Man City’s top dog summed up by Kevin De Bruyne admission

[NANO]

Kevin De Bruyne may be a hero to Manchester City fans – but he is no longer the star man in his own home.

De Bruyne's three children – Mason, Rome and Suri - idolise their father, but he has been overtaken as their favourite player by City goal machine Erling Haaland.

Seven-year-old Mason, in particular, is a huge Haaland fan, wearing a shirt with the name of City's No.9 on the back and even growing his hair in the same style as the prolific forward.

Mason had a kick around with Haaland on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium after City clinched the title a fortnight ago, with his father relaxed about no longer being his eldest's football idol.

"It's not a problem,” said a smiling De Bruyne. “All three children have long hair. Erling is a superstar.

“I see that with the kids at my son's school too. They all have hair like that. It's funny. My children have all become interested in football this year. They attend more games.

“They're also starting to play football themselves. My eldest, in particular, is starting to realize a little more what's going on. He wants to come to games more. He came to see Bayern. He begins to experience and enjoy it more. As long as they like it, it's okay."

The Champions League is the one trophy missing from De Bruyne's hugely successful time at City, but the 31-year-old refuses to get hung up about being able to add it.

When asked whether his biggest relief would be winning the Champions League or no longer having to field questions about whether his career would complete without it, De Bruyne grinned and said: “One hundred percent the question.

De Bruyne can complete the set by winning the Champions League on Saturday night

“But we’ve still not won it yet. I’ve been here eight years and it’s been incredible. Could I come here and think about all the amount of games and trophies we would win in eight years? Probably not.

“But we try to win every game possible, every trophy and I think, in the end, we've had a pretty impressive career at City. But it's something we haven't won yet and it's something that we want to win. Hopefully it will be Saturday.

“I think, eventually, when my career is over, there will be times when I look back on things that have been accomplished. Now I don't have time to think about it. Now I have to get ready to play football well on Saturday. That's all that's on my mind right now."

Despite his enduring brilliance and influence for City, there have been times this season when Pep Guardiola has criticised De Bruyne, in a bid to get the very best out of his chief playmaker.

"It's not a problem for me,” said De Bruyne. “I think occasionally more is made of players or coaches saying something. It's never personal. In the end, everyone always wants to get the best out of each other.

"That's the same as with the discussion we had during the game against Real Madrid [when De Bruyne told Guardiola to 'Shut Up!].

“So much is written about that, but here we never talk about it again. Those are moments between competitive people. I don't see a problem with that. Everyone just wants to win.”

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-city-debruyne-erling-haaland-30186826