FIFA wrote on its official website, “An unexpected inclusion,” because the return of the European and England champion playmaker was not expected before the beginning of 2024.
De Bruyne (32 years old) injured his thigh in the 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final in early June, and relapsed again during the first match of the current season in the English Premier League against Burnley on August 11.
Since then, after undergoing surgery, the Belgian international has not returned to the stadiums, as he was expected to return early next year and not in December.
City will begin its first ever participation in the Club World Cup, which begins on December 12, in the semi-finals, facing the winner of the match between Leon of Mexico, Urawa, the CONCACAF champion, and Red Diamonds of Japan, the Asian champion, on Tuesday, the 19th. If he emerges victorious, he will play the final match three days later.
The tournament also includes New Zealand’s Auckland City, the Oceania champion, the Egyptian Al-Ahly, the African champion, the Brazilian Fluminense, the South American champion, and the Saudi Al-Ittihad.
City coach Pep Guardiola, quoted by FIFA, said: “This tournament is very important and prestigious.”
He continued: “It is not easy to qualify or win it. We only need one (win a cup) to continue the streak of victories and win all possible titles for City.”
He added: “We will go there and prepare because it is a dream for us. The mood in the team is the best I remember in many years.”
City achieved a historic hat-trick last season by winning the league, cup and Champions League titles, and later the European Super Cup on penalties against Sevilla in mid-August. While he failed to win the League Cup last season, and lost the Charity Shield competition at the beginning of the 2023-2024 season.
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