De Bruyne is about to become Messi's rival.

This information comes as De Bruyne's contract with Man City is set to expire this summer, and the Belgian player seems less keen on staying.

When asked about his contract with Man City after the win against West Ham, De Bruyne declined to comment, focusing instead on regaining his form after injury. While affirming that he is improving week by week and is now able to play the full 90 minutes, the 33-year-old midfielder seems to be mentally preparing for a new future. He did not rule out the possibility of leaving Man City if the club does not renew his contract, and also expressed interest in moving to MLS for the remainder of his career.

San Diego FC is determined to sign De Bruyne this winter, rather than waiting until he becomes a free agent in the summer. The team is reportedly in discussions with De Bruyne about joining before the start of the 2025 MLS season. They are ready to make a formal offer, including a transfer fee, to secure the services of the Belgian midfielder immediately.

With ambitions to build a strong team, San Diego FC has recruited several notable players such as Hirving Lozano and Paddy McNair, and also has midfielder Juan Mata join the board of shareholders. Acquiring De Bruyne is seen as a crucial step in San Diego's team building plan ahead of the new season, with their first game scheduled for February 23rd against LA Galaxy.

News of De Bruyne's imminent move to San Diego has caused considerable anxiety for Manchester City. They could lose their playmaker during this winter transfer window or lose him for free when his contract expires this summer.