Kevin De Bruyne’s decision to leave Manchester City at the end of the 2024-25 season has sent shockwaves through the soccer world. He spent a decade guiding City to league titles, Champions League glory, and countless unforgettable moments. Now, the question is: Where will he go next?
Inter Miami appears to be the frontrunner. It’s not just media buzz. That’s because according to The Athletic, “Inter Miami holds the discovery rights to Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne.” That means the Florida-based club can negotiate with him first if he chooses Major League Soccer. MLS discovery rights are a quirk of the league: any club that places a non-MLS player on its discovery list gets priority to sign him over other MLS teams. It’s a powerful advantage for a team eager to build a global brand.
De Bruyne has hinted he wants a fresh start after a decade in England. “Football led me to all of you, and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life,” he said in a statement announcing his departure. He then added, “Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter.”
A new chapter in Miami?
Inter Miami has already attracted names like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba. Adding De Bruyne would mean rethinking how to fit his salary under MLS rules. The Belgian midfielder currently earns around $494,000 per week at City, which translates to roughly $25.7 million per year. In MLS, teams can only have three designated players whose wages exceed the salary cap. Miami’s three DP slots are already filled, so the club would need creativity to sign De Bruyne. Reports suggest he could start on a lower-tier contract, then renegotiate in 2026, similar to how Zlatan Ibrahimović joined the LA Galaxy on a reduced salary before upgrading to a bigger deal.
Club owner Jorge Mas once said, “I have always said we aspire to bring great players to our team… but we have an unlimited budget.” While that might raise eyebrows given MLS’s stringent rules, it illustrates Miami’s ambition. For De Bruyne, a move stateside could mean a new lifestyle, fresh challenges, and an opportunity to link up with Messi to dominate not only MLS, but global tournaments like the Club World Cup.
Critics wonder whether this star-studded plan might unbalance MLS. Others see it as a sign of growth, a league that can now attract big names at their peak. Either way, De Bruyne’s desire to “chase my dream” has landed him at a crossroads. He could head to Saudi Arabia for an astronomical payday, or he could embrace Miami’s sunshine and the allure of building something special in the United States.
The next step depends on the finer details: how Miami navigates the financial puzzle and whether De Bruyne is truly ready to leave European soccer. For now, fans can only wait—and imagine what a De Bruyne-Messi combination might look like. If Inter Miami pulls it off, MLS would take yet another step toward becoming a destination for the world’s most influential players.
“Let’s enjoy these last moments together!” De Bruyne told supporters at City. Before long, he may be enjoying new moments in South Florida, wearing pink and patrolling the midfield under the Miami sun.
