Revealed: Why Kevin De Bruyne could've been playing at 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as little-known birth fact emerges

Manchester City star, Kevin de Bruyne, may well be the captain of Belgium with over 100 caps, but he could have been playing in AFCON.

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• De Bruyne's mother was born in Burundi
• Burundi failed to qualify for 2023 AFCON
• Belgian captain to lead side in Euro 2024

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Anna De Bruyne, the mother of the Manchester City midfielder, was born in the east African nation of Burundi which means her son would have been eligible to play for the African side. De Bruyne has gone on to captain the nation of his birth, Belgium, so one can only be left imagining the superstar in the Burundi midfield threading passes through to Saido Berahino.

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• Goal Kenya.
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  De Bruyne has established himself alongside some of the greatest midfield players in history and would elevate any side he played in. Burundi failed to qualify for this year's AFCON but may well have done with de Bruyne in their side.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Burundi qualified for AFCON for the first time in 2019. Had de Bruyne chosen to play for the African nation over Belgium they may well have qualified again this year.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DE BRUYNE?

  Having just returned from injury, de Bruyne will be looking to fire Manchester City to yet another Premier League title and is aiming to defend their Champions League crown.