An emotional farewell

Sunday May 24th was a day of intense emotion for Manchester City fans in England and around the world. The clash against Aston Villa marked not only the club’s final match of the 2025–26 Premier League season, but also the farewell to three iconic figures: English defender John Stones, Spanish manager Pep Guardiola and Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva.

All three played a key role in the most successful era in the club’s recent history.

When Guardiola took Silva off in the 58th minute, there wasn’t a dry eye in the stadium. The Portuguese player could not hold back his tears, whilst the manager himself appeared visibly moved as he embraced, for the last time, the player who had been by his side for so many years. In Guardiola’s words: “I don’t cry, but when I see Bernardo crying, I cry.” (The New York Times)

Nominated for the Ballon d’Or on three occasions, Silva was, after all, one of the most important players for the “Sky Blues” over the course of almost a decade.

The start of his career in Manchester

He joined the club from Monaco in 2017, having caught the eye in the clash between the two sides in the round of 16 of the 2016–17 Champions League.

An intelligent and creative midfielder, capable of covering virtually every area of the pitch, his impact was immediate. In his very first season at City, he played 53 matches – more than any other player in the squad – and helped the team reach the unprecedented milestone of 100 points in the Premier League. That team, nicknamed the “Centurions”, is still regarded as one of the greatest sides in modern football – a view shared by Bernardo himself: “In the future, I think people will look back and think that this City generation was… if not the best, one of the best in the history of English football.” (The New York Times)

Leadership and individual recognition

His importance to the team continued to be felt the following season. With Belgian Kevin De Bruyne sidelined for much of the campaign due to injury, Bernardo stepped into the limelight and helped City win another Premier League title, as well as the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. For his tireless effort and decisive performances, the fans voted him the team’s best player of the season – and, at the end of 2019, came his first Ballon d’Or nomination.

Despite rumours that he might leave the club at the start of the 2021–22 season, the elegant Portuguese star remained at City and continued to deliver the high standard that had become his trademark. One of the most memorable moments came in December, against Aston Villa, when he scored what would go on to be voted the club’s goal of the season.

Guardiola’s wild card

Silva’s versatility has also increasingly established itself as one of his greatest qualities. Capable of playing as a central midfielder, defensive midfielder, winger on either flank, false nine and even, in specific situations, as a left-back, he has become practically a wild card in Guardiola’s system. In November of that season, during a clash against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League group stage, he became the first player in the competition’s history to finish a match with a 100% pass completion rate. During that period, he also became the first City player to win the Player of the Month award for three consecutive months.

At the end of 2022, he received his second Ballon d’Or nomination.

The peak: Europe and historic achievements

Speaking of the Champions League, Silva was a key figure in City’s title-winning campaign in the 2022–23 season – the club’s first ever, a few years after reaching their first final. In the 2023 final against Inter Milan, Silva provided the assist for Rodri, who scored the decisive goal for the English side. Silva was subsequently named in the competition’s Team of the Tournament.

The year 2023 became the most successful in Manchester City’s history. In addition to the Champions League, the club also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Playing a central role in this run of titles, Silva received his third Ballon d’Or nomination at the end of the year.

The final chapter in Manchester

The 2025–26 season marked Silva’s farewell to the club. City announced that they would not be renewing the Portuguese player’s contract upon its expiry at the end of the campaign and, rather than simply waiting to see what the future held, the 31-year-old midfielder made his final chapter in Manchester one of the most memorable. Delivering some of the best performances of his career, he ended his time in the Premier League on a high note.

Promoted to captain following De Bruyne’s departure in June the previous year, Bernardo played a key leadership role throughout the season. Under his leadership, City won the FA Cup and the EFL Cup, as well as finishing second in the Premier League.

"Bernardo is one of the best players I’ve ever coached. He’s the perfect captain." – Pep Guardiola

Respect within the club

Throughout his time at the club, his tireless work ethic and resilient character have made Silva much more than just a great player: he has become an admired teammate, a veteran beloved by the fans and a role model for those who shared the dressing room with him. Creating brilliant moves and, seconds later, tracking back to win the ball back, he became one of the cornerstones on which City relied. There seemed to be no role he could not fulfil – and giving up never appeared to be an option in his mind.

For all these reasons, Pep Guardiola has never hidden his admiration for the Portuguese international. The manager even called him “irreplaceable” and stated: “We follow him, I follow him too, because when a player always puts the team before himself and leads by example, everyone follows him, me first and foremost! He is one of the best players I have ever coached. He is the perfect captain. It is a joy for me, as a manager, to have him with us. The team comes first. His contribution is enormous and he is one of this club’s legends.” (Trivela)

For his part, Bernardo has also never failed to express his admiration for Guardiola’s work as a manager: “Even when we have a very successful season, he is always finding new ways to ensure that teams cannot adapt to us. In terms of attacking concepts, I would say he is by far the best manager I have ever seen. I don’t think there is anyone better.” (The New York Times)

The next chapter

In total, Silva bids farewell to Manchester City after nine seasons, having made 460 appearances, scored 43 goals, provided 34 assists and won 20 trophies for the club.

His next destination remains unknown, but his immediate focus will be on the World Cup, where he will aim to help Portugal win their first ever title in the tournament. To do so, he will rely on a star-studded midfield alongside other Ballon d’Or nominees: Vitinha, João Neves and Bruno Fernandes.

For the national team, he has also been part of historic achievements – notably the Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

Titles won by Bernardo Silva with Manchester City

  • 1x Champions League (2022-23)

  • 6x Premier League (2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24)

  • 1x FIFA Club World Cup (2023)

  • 3x FA Cup (2018-19, 2022-23, 2025-26)

  • 5x EFL Cup (2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2025–26)

  • 1x UEFA Super Cup (2023)

  • 3x FA Community Shield (2018, 2019, 2024)