Kevin De Bruyne is aiming to become the “best player in the world” after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in Manchester City’s opener against Burnley.

Kevin De Bruyne’s comeback from a hamstring injury is going well. 

After 23 minutes, the 32-year-old was forced to exit and underwent surgery. His comeback is ahead of time, and the Belgian international has been named to Pep Guardiola’s team for next week’s Fifa Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, though it is uncertain whether he will be allowed minutes.

“Everything is going swimmingly. I had surgery because I had suffered a serious injury. But we’re getting closer – we’re getting closer to the new year [his initial return date]. “I’m doing great and hope to be back on the field soon,” De Bruyne stated. “I aspire to be the best. [His ambition] is unstoppable. I want to play for the best team in the world and to be the best player in the world. Every day, I am still motivated.

“Even though I’ve been out for four months, I’ve tried to find ways to change myself as a player so that I can continue to do what I did before.” I’m confident I’ll be alright once I’m out on the field. I just want to keep playing good football, and that will enough.”

“Pep and I are fairly similar, mentality-wise and the way we think about football,” De Bruyne said of Guardiola. We don’t talk much, but he’s obviously my employer, so I have to listen to him.”

Erling Haaland is unlikely to participate in City’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Saturday and may miss the Club World Cup, according to Guardiola, who downplayed the striker’s immediate recovery.

Haaland has missed City’s last two games due to a “bone stress reaction in his foot” and has been seeing a specialist in Marbella this week – biomechanics expert John Haddad, dubbed “The Miracle Man” by Norwegian media and who has worked with the striker since 2020.

Haaland returned to City’s Etihad Campus on Friday, but the Palace game is expected to be too soon for him. City will go to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to play Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan in the semi-finals on Tuesday. The championship will be held next Friday.

Erling Haaland is a doubt for the Club World Cup next week, although he has traveled to visit a specialist.

When asked if Haaland would play against Palace, Guardiola stated, “I don’t think so, but maybe he surprises me.” He arrived today [Friday], and the physicians will examine him and assess his condition. He received therapy away from the club.

“Hopefully, he’ll be able to travel to Saudi, and we’ll see if he can play in the first or second game, or when we return.” Sometimes athletes recover quickly, while other times they take longer. The physicians advise him to “take it day by day, week by week,” depending on how he feels. He’ll play as soon as he’s not in discomfort.”