A New Chapter for Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva has officially announced that he is ready to step away from the spotlight at Manchester City and embrace a new chapter in his life. The 31-year-old captain, who has been a key figure in the club’s success over the past nine years, will be leaving the Etihad Stadium when his contract expires at the end of the season. His decision comes as he looks to be closer to his family after spending 12 years away from them.
In a heartfelt farewell interview with the club, Silva expressed his pride in the achievements of his generation and acknowledged that it’s time for the younger players to take the stage. He also shared his deep gratitude for the guidance and leadership of Pep Guardiola, the manager who has played a significant role in his career.
Silva said: “It’s never enough, but I feel that we won a lot, our generation. I feel that also it’s time for these young guys to have their moment. And for me personally, it’s an opportunity to go a bit closer to my family. It’s been quite a long time, 12 years that I’ve been apart and quite far away and I want to be a bit closer to them. Even though I love the football club and I loved the nine years here, I feel it’s the right moment for me to have a new challenge in my life – it’s going to be good.”
A Legacy of Excellence
Over the course of his career with Manchester City, Silva has made 459 appearances, placing him among the top 10 in the club’s all-time list. He has also scored 76 goals since joining from Monaco in 2017, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
During his time at City, Silva has won 15 major trophies, including four successive Premier League titles between 2021-2024, the treble in 2023, and all four domestic trophies in the 2018-19 season. When asked about his favorite achievement, he found it difficult to choose between the domestic quadruple and the treble.
“Even though the Champions League adds something special to it, to win a domestic quadruple was really tough, especially against that Liverpool team,” he said. “But if I have to choose one, I think the treble because the Champions League for this club – the only one that we won, it edges it a little bit.”
Reflections on Past Triumphs
Silva also reflected on the challenges faced by the team during some of its most successful seasons. He mentioned that the final against Chelsea, where they lost the Champions League, was a clear example of how close they were to achieving even more.
“The final that we lost against Chelsea was a clear example. In my opinion, we were the best team in Europe that season and we played a really bad final. The year that we lost to Real Madrid in the semi-final, in the last minutes, I would say that we were the best team again in Europe that year, for me.”
A Deep Respect for Key Figures
When asked about the best players he had played with at City, Silva named Kevin De Bruyne as the standout, just ahead of David Silva. He also spoke highly of Pep Guardiola, whom he considers his idol.
“Way before I joined Man City, Pep for me was always an inspiration because when he was training Barcelona, that team with the small guys, with Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta, (Lionel) Messi, Pedro,” he added.
“I was at the time in Benfica in my academy years where I didn’t play because they thought that I wasn’t big enough, that I wasn’t strong enough. And me looking at that team and thinking, ‘these guys, they’re also not big, they’re also not strong. If they can do it, maybe one day I can do it’.”
“So, Pep’s team was always an inspiration for me and then to join the club and to be able to be with him nine years and to be a part of this success, it’s fantastic.”
