Henry Heaps Praises On De Bruyne After Bernabeu Draw

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has heaped praises on Kevin De Bruyne, saying he has the best footballing brain he's "ever seen" following Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

De Bruyne scored City's equaliser with a top-drawer strike in the second half to cancel out Vinicius Junior's breathing goal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

As a result of the Belgian's heroics, Henry told CBS Sports that the 31-year-old midfielder belongs in the gallery of greats.

"I still think he’s the most important player in this team, " the Frenchman said. 

"I’ve come across a lot of players, played with a lot of players, saw a lot of players, played against some of the greatest. 

"I think Kevin, his brain is the best I’ve ever seen, the way he sees the game."

Kevin De Bruyne celebrates his stunning goal against Madrid

Henry went further to note that De Bruyne is the "most clever player" he has seen in his lifetime despite having worked with the likes of Lionel Messi, Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp, Zinedine Zidane, Robert Pires, Gilberto Silva, David Trezeguet, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Yaya Toure, Robin van Persie, Samuel Eto'o and Eden Hazard during his career.

"I don’t know what he thinks about sometimes, you look at him and it’s almost like he’s not with us because he’s that good.

"Sometimes it can be a problem because you’re not on his level, but I think he’s the most clever player I’ve seen in my life. 

"It’s just second to none, the way he thinks. Because I saw him for six years on and off with Belgium, you love the man a bit more.

"Because I saw stuff he did in training and in games. 

"He’s unbelievable. His brain, I’m still thinking about some stuff I’ve seen, he’s on a different planet and it wasn’t his best game tonight, but he delivered."

City are now just one win away from reaching their second-ever Champions League final in pursuit of a maiden European Cup.