Silva says goodbye to City

Bernardo Silva had already announced earlier that he would leave Manchester City at the end of the season, and today the Portuguese star posted an official farewell message on social media. It marks the end of one of the most successful eras in the history of the Premier League. At 32, the Portuguese maestro has decided to bring his nine-year journey at the Etihad to a close, leaving behind a legacy the club rightly calls immeasurable. Since arriving from AS Monaco in 2017, Bernardo became a symbol of consistency and success, making over 450 appearances and winning 15 trophies, including six league titles and the long-awaited UEFA Champions League in 2023.

Sad news from Manchester: Pep's assistant announces Bernardo's departure

“When I arrived 9 years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things. This city and this club gave me much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for. 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. To the fans, your unconditional support throughout the years is something that I will never forget. 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. I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life. To the club, Pep, the staff and all my teammates these 9 years, thank you for all the memories and for letting me be a part of this journey for so long. The atmosphere we created every day in the training ground made me feel at home and a part of a big family. Let’s enjoy together these last weeks and fight for what this season still brings us” he wrote on his Instagram account.

Bernardo already has his first suitor: Old Lady in black & white

His contribution can’t be reduced to raw numbers—76 goals and 77 assists. Bernardo was a true footballing chameleon, used by Pep Guardiola like a Swiss army knife. He was equally effective as a winger, playmaker, or hard-working midfielder. His work rate and ability to control the tempo made him one of the few players in the modern era to break into City’s top ten for appearances, even surpassing legends like David Silva. With a few weeks left in the season, Bernardo clearly doesn’t intend to leave quietly. As City fight for another Premier League title and the FA Cup, he remains focused on adding more silverware before taking off the sky-blue shirt for the last time.

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His departure will leave a huge void in the squad—players with that level of intelligence, versatility, and endurance are rare. City might find another technical player, but replacing someone who dictates the game with such elegance and relentless energy will be extremely difficult. As for his next step, a return to SL Benfica—where he developed from age 8 to 20 before moving to Monaco—has been quietly mentioned. Still, he will undoubtedly have plenty of options beyond Lisbon.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - QUARTER-FINALS

Return leg

Thursday

19.45: (1.90) Celta Vigo (3.75) Freiburg (4.30)

22.00: (1.63) Aston Villa (4.10) Bologna (6.00)

22.00: (1.90) Real Betis (3.65) Braga (4.40)

22.00: (2.40) Nottingham Forest (3.15) Porto (3.40)

***odds are subject to change***