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Bernardo Silva confirms Manchester City departure
Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva will exit Manchester City when his contract concludes at the end of the current season, the club announced. The 31-year-old has been a pivotal figure since arriving from Monaco in 2017.
Silva's legacy at the Etihad
Silva has contributed 76 goals and 77 assists across 451 appearances for City. His trophy haul includes 15 major honors, among them the historic Treble in the 2022-23 season. He also played a key role in the club's 2017-18 Premier League title win with 100 points, the domestic quadruple in 2018-19, and four consecutive league titles from 2021 to 2024.
Ranked among City's all-time top 10 appearance makers, Silva is the only player from the club's modern era in that list, currently tied for eighth place with Mike Summerbee. He took over as captain following Kevin De Bruyne's departure last summer and has since secured six Premier League titles in eight seasons.
Emotional farewell message
"What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart. The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the Treble, the four in a row and much more. It wasn't that bad."
Bernardo Silva, via Instagram
Silva expressed gratitude to the fans, stating, "My main goal as a player was to always play with passion so you guys could feel proud and well represented on the pitch. I hope you felt that every single game."
He added, "I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life. Keep supporting this young team and I'm pretty sure they will bring you a lot of new fantastic memories in the future. Let's enjoy together these last weeks and fight for what this season still brings us."
Silva's evolving role under Guardiola
Initially an attacking midfielder, Silva transitioned into a deeper, more defensive role over time. His high work rate was evident in City's recent victory over Chelsea. Though he didn't match Kevin De Bruyne's goal and assist numbers, Silva earned the captain's armband for his consistency and leadership, particularly during a trophy-less 2023-24 season.
His captaincy saw immediate success with a Carabao Cup win over Arsenal in March, marking his 19th trophy with the club. Pep Lijnders, City's assistant manager, remarked after an FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool that "every story comes to an end."
Final chapter and future challenges
With City currently second in the Premier League and set to face Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals on April 25, Silva aims to conclude his tenure with a domestic treble. Guardiola had previously noted that Silva hadn't disclosed his future plans, but the midfielder's departure is now confirmed.
As Silva prepares to leave, questions remain about how City will replace his leadership and on-field influence. The club faces the challenge of filling the void left by one of its most decorated players.
