Kevin De Bruyne subtly disrespects cricket after hearing it is the 2nd most-watched sport in the world: “Nobody in Europe watches it”

Kevin De Bruyne doubted cricket's global viewership numbers, shocking fans by suggesting it is largely unwatched in Europe, after football.

Kevin De Bruyne subtly disrespects cricket after hearing it is the 2nd most-watched sport in the world: “Nobody in Europe watches it”

Footballer Kevin De Bruyne contested cricket's popularity in Europe, despite it being the 2nd most-watches sport. (via X)

Belgian footballer Kevin De Bruyne refused to accept that cricket is the 2nd most-watched sport in the world and in Europe as well, after football, leaving fans shocked. The 33-year-old took a subtle dig at cricket by claiming that no one in Europe watches it. 

The Manchester City midfielder, speaking on a show, was left hilariously stunned to know that cricket is the second-most watched sport in Europe. The 33-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation, took part in a quiz segment, called the ‘AI Showdown’ for his club’s channel. He attended the show alongside young Man City teammate and midfielder, James McAtee. 

YouTube video

The two players were tasked with naming the five most popular sports, all across Europe. De Bruyne, going first, responded to the question by naming football as the most popular sport. While it seemed to be an obvious answer, James McAtee then made his pick, naming UFC as the second-most popular sport. However, upon the host’s insistence, the young English midfielder changed his pick to ‘cricket’. 

McAtee’s answer left De Bruyne unconvinced, as he went on to confidently claim that tennis and NBA are more popular in Europe, after football. However, to his utter surprise, the list revealed that cricket is next to football, in terms of popularity. De Bruyne expressed surprise, adding that he had never seen anyone in Europe, watch cricket. He even added that he watches all other sports, apart from cricket. 

How can cricket be second on the list? That’s a lie. I don’t know anybody in Europe who watches cricket, let’s be honest.

Kevin De Bruyne on cricket’s popularity (H/T India Today)

While the 33-year-old’s response did evoke laughter in the studio, social media users and cricket fans were left annoyed at the Belgian star’s comments, terming it disrespectful. Fans’ fury seems justified, with cricket having grown in terms of popularity and financial clout over the years. Not as popular as football, cricket is gaining traction, especially in regions with significant South Asian populations.

In Europe, apart from regular playing nations, England, Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, several other countries have also taken an interest in the sport. It is particularly due to the growth of the European Cricket Council (ECC) and cricket’s inclusion at the 2028 LA Olympics. It also remains the most-watched sport in all of South Asia, drawing a massive fan following over 2.5 million.

Moreover, after the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics, the ICC Cricket World Cup is the most-watched sporting event. In England, where Kevin De Bruyne plays, cricket is the second-most popular sport. However, for the 33-year-old, the fact that cricket is much popular in Europe still remains a surprise.

LA 2028 Olympics to host men’s and women’s six-team T20 cricket

Cricket at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will see six national teams competing against each other, both in the Men’s and Women’s tournament, to clinch a spot on the podium. The 2028 LA Olympics will host cricket for the first time in over 100 years, in its most modern form, T20 cricket. 

LA Olympics cricket
Six cricketing nations will fight for the gold medal at the 2028 LA Olympics. (via Chronicle)

The sport was last played at the 1900 Paris Olympics, where a gold-medal match was played between Great Britain and France. It has since then remained out of the Olympics. However, at LA 2028, cricket is expected to make a return, with six teams competing in both men’s and women’s tournament. Each team will be allowed to name a 15-member squad, with a total of 90 athletes making it to onto the pitch. 

The qualification for cricket at the Olympics is yet to be ascertained, with 12 ICC full-members hoping to secure a place among the six teams. Apart from cricket, four other new sports will feature at the upcoming Olympics, including baseball, flag football, lacrosse and squash.