Manchester City: Here’s To You Vincent Kompany

Though others have become fan favorites in recent years, Manchester City fans should never forget what Vincent Kompany has meant to the team.

“Don’t shoot!”

It was the reaction of many of the players and fans as Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany began to wind up for a long distance shot on Monday night.

The result, however, couldn’t have been better.

Vincent Kompany scored one of the greatest goals in Manchester City history, and in recent Premier League history, to give City a 1-0 victory in a well-fought difficult tie at home against Leicester City.

With that win under their belt, City are now just one match away from winning consecutive league titles for the first time in their 125 year history.

While others, like David Silva, Yaya Toure, and Sergio Aguero, have become most Manchester City fans’ favorite players over the years, many tend to forget just how great and vital Vincent Kompany has been to the team.

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Yes, Kompany has spent the better part of the last four seasons injured for significant stretches of time. He may not be quite as good as he was during the first two Premier League title-winning seasons City had either.

Yet, whenever City have needed someone to step up, lead the team, and meet the moment, he’s been there.

Monday wasn’t the first time Vincent Kompany scored a vital goal to potentially win Manchester City a title.

Back in City’s first title winning season in 2011-12, Kompany scored the lone goal in the team’s 1-0 over Manchester United at home. That win put City back into the drivers seat to win the Premier League title with just two games remaining. Had it not been for what followed on the final day just two weeks later, Kompany’s goal would have been remembered as THE signature moment of City’s first top flight title win in over 40 years.

Last season, when City had a chance to clinch the title against their chief rivals at home, Kompany stepped up again. Kompany scored the opening goal that day, one that was nearly identical to the one he scored six years earlier, to put City ahead 1-0. Had it not been for an uncharacteristic second half collapse from the side, City would have won the title that day.

Kompany also played a vital role in Manchester City’s 3-0 thrashing of Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final last season. He put in a fantastic man of the match performance on defense, and also scored the second goal which helped seal City’s third league cup title of the decade.

Thus, whenever City have needed a big moment at a crucial time, Kompany has often been the one to meet it above all others.

Kompany has also been a model professional both on and off the pitch. He’s been City’s go to representative for the club. He’s spoken out and led the conversation on significant societal issues, like racism in football. He’s an “Official FIFA Ambassador  for the charity SOS Children which is dedicated to providing a loving home for every child in need.” He’s everything a sports team would want their star player to be.

Kompany embodies everything positive that the club stands for. He is, and has been for over a decade, the heart and soul of the team.

Others will no doubt have a place in the pantheon of greats to have played for the club during this resurgent decade.

David Silva has been on the greatest creative midfielders to ever grace a pitch in England. Without him, City would have never become one of the best attacking sides the Premier League has ever seen.

Yaya Toure was the man who scored the goal to give City their first major trophy in nearly 30 years, and was arguably the team’s best player in their second title winning campaign in 2013-14. Even if other things have overshadowed some of his contributions, he’s still one of the most important players of the decade to the club.

Sergio Aguero has been one of the best strikers to ever play in England, and he may well end up as THE face of the club during this period because of that and the magical goal he scored at 93:20 of the final day in 2012 against Queens Park Rangers.

However, none of that should overshadow or diminish what Vincent Kompany has meant to the side. Kompany is, and has been, the leader of the club. He’s the heart and soul of the team. He is Manchester City Football Club.

If Monday night was his final game at the Etihad as a City player, there could not have been a more fitting way for him to go off and leave his mark.

Here’s to you Vincent Kompany!