Kevin De Bruyne admits he is unlikely to extend his Manchester City career to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
De Bruyne captained City in Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley but could not avert a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, despite Pep Guardiola's side enjoying 79% of possession and Omar Marmoush having a first-half penalty saved.
The Belgium playmaker has announced he will leave City at the end of this season and is set to bid an emotional farewell to the Etihad Stadium faithful on Tuesday, when Bournemouth are the visitors for their final home game of the Premier League campaign.
Guardiola's squad, which appears to be entering a key moment of transition, will take a short break following their concluding league match at Fulham next weekend before travelling to the United States for the expanded 32-team Club World Cup that runs from June 13 to July 14.
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This creates complications for players such as De Bruyne who are out of contract, given terms at European clubs typically begin on July 1 and expire on June 30 — dates that are not normally troubled by competitive club football.
FIFA has established pre- and mid-tournament registration windows for players in this predicament but, as De Bruyne explained after the FA Cup final, the incentives for an ageing star plotting his next move are heavily weighted in one direction.
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"I think, in a way, I have to take care of myself because if I get injured in the Club World Cup, what am I going to do? Nobody's going to take care of me at that point," the 33-year-old said. "So there's a big chance probably I won't play it, but I don't know... maybe yes.
"It doesn't make any sense, but I'm just a player. I don't make the rules, I can't do anything about it. So in the end, like I said, I'll probably have to take care of myself."
City are scheduled to play their Club World Cup group matches against Wydad Casablanca, Al Ain and Juventus before the end of June, after which point De Bruyne would need to pen a short-term contract extension to take part in the knockout stages, should Guardiola's defending champions reach them.
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Who is Kevin De Bruyne playing for next season?
De Bruyne stated he has had conversations with prospective new clubs amid speculation linking him to suitors both in Europe and the United States.
Napoli and Chicago Fire were both options mentioned explicitly to De Bruyne after Saturday's game by reporters. He did not confirm or deny those links but would not be drawn on specifics.
"I'll take my decision whenever I'm ready or comfortable with making my decision," he said "So that's probably for me the most important.
"I want to finish these two games and then make a decision, but it's not that easy. I have to take care of my family. I've got three kids, my wife — it's not an easy process at this time."
De Bruyne added: "Everything has to fall into place for my family and for myself. Like I said before, when you're 20 years old and make a decision, it's easy. You can move to another country and it's not a problem.
"But I want to take the best decision: what is good for my kids, for my wife, school, living, all those things that you need to take and think about. Whenever I make the decision, I'll let you guys know."