Kevin De Bruyne has established himself as one of the best players in world football this season but he still rejects the notion that he is in the same league as the world's top two, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Belgian has experienced a meteoric rise ever since being sold by Chelsea to Wolfsburg for £18 million and has been utterly sensational for Pep Guardiola's runaway Premier League leaders, scoring 11 goals and registering an excellent 18 assists in all competitions.
He made the UEFA Team of the Year for 2017 and is one of the leading contenders for the PFA Player of the Year award, yet putting him on the same level as the two five-time Ballon d'Or winners is a step too far according to the man himself.
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Speaking to Het Belang van Limburg while on international duty, he said:
"It is impossible to compare me with them. Our positions are completely different.
"They are much higher on the pitch and score ten times more than me. If I make 10 in a season, they score 100. But then I have other tasks on the pitch."
The 26-year old has been so difficult to stop this term that he's been subject to rough treatment from the opposition, notably on the receiving end of some shocking challenges from the likes of Dele Alli, Jason Puncheon and James McClean.
However, he does not feel he has been purposely targeted and says it's part of the game he has to deal with.
"I do not feel really targeted by the opponents," he added.
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"Tackles are part of football. I do not cry when I'm hit. I bite my teeth and I continue, with or without pain.
"Football is simply a contact sport."
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Football, Pep Guardiola, Lionel Messi, Premier League, Kevin de Bruyne, Cristiano Ronaldo
