Brussels, Belgium — A revelation from Kevin De Bruyne’s former girlfriend, Caroline Lijnen, has resurfaced, sending shockwaves through the football world. In a candid confession, Lijnen admitted she once cheated on the Manchester City star with Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois — but insists the decision was sparked by De Bruyne’s own betrayal.
The Backstory
Caroline Lijnen’s story first came to light several years ago but remains a hot topic among fans given the high-profile careers of both De Bruyne and Courtois. According to her account, the incident stemmed from an earlier heartbreak.
Lijnen revealed that while she was still dating De Bruyne, she discovered he had cheated on her with one of her former best friends. The betrayal, she said, left her devastated and searching for a way to cope with the pain.
The Courtois Connection
It was during this difficult time that Lijnen grew closer to Thibaut Courtois, then a teammate of De Bruyne in the Belgian national squad. She admitted to spending time with Courtois in Madrid, where the goalkeeper was playing for Atlético at the time.
In her words, Courtois offered the attention and support she felt was missing in her relationship with De Bruyne. “Thibaut gave me what I hadn’t received in three years with Kevin,” Lijnen once confessed in an interview.
A Fallout That Rocked Belgian Football
When the affair became public, the scandal threatened to fracture the Belgian national team. Both De Bruyne and Courtois were crucial players for Belgium’s “Golden Generation,” and tensions between the two men fueled speculation that it could impact squad harmony.
Media outlets across Europe speculated about locker room divides and personal animosities, especially during major tournaments. However, both players eventually chose to remain professional, putting aside personal history to focus on their national team duties.
De Bruyne’s Response
Kevin De Bruyne has rarely spoken publicly about the matter, preferring to keep his private life out of the headlines. What is known is that he later found stability and happiness with his current wife, Michele Lacroix, with whom he shares three children.
Courtois’ Career and Personal Life
For Courtois, the controversy was one chapter in a career filled with both triumphs and turbulence. Now Real Madrid’s first-choice goalkeeper, he has established himself as one of the best in the world, while also navigating a busy personal life and media scrutiny.
Fans Still Fascinated
Though years have passed since Lijnen’s revelation, fans remain fascinated by the story, with social media often reviving the scandal whenever Belgium’s biggest stars share the field. To many, it remains one of football’s most dramatic love-triangle sagas.
A Story of Betrayal and Forgiveness
In the end, the saga highlights the challenges of fame, loyalty, and trust under the microscope of public attention. For De Bruyne and Courtois, the affair was a painful chapter — but one they ultimately overcame to continue playing at the highest levels of the sport.