Outgoing Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva was visibly emotional as he led his side out for the final time on Sunday. The 31-year-old Portugal international, who will leave City after nine years at the club following the match against Aston Villa, walked onto the pitch alongside his daughter Carlota and wife Ines for the last time.
As he prepared to make his final entrance, he was consoled by opposing captain Tyrone Mings and City goalkeeper James Trafford, who offered a supportive hug from behind. Silva took over the armband this season and has been a pivotal figure in the resurgence of standards within Pep Guardiola's squad after last year's dip in form.
Silva had made it clear to reporters at the Club World Cup last June that this would be his final campaign, though he had stopped short of an official announcement. The 31-year-old, who believes it is too early for a return to Benfica, has options in Major League Soccer, while Juventus have hoped to persuade him to sign.
Barcelona are long-standing admirers, and Silva's friend Ilkay Gundogan currently plays for Galatasaray. Despite spending nine years at the Etihad Stadium, Silva has not always embraced English culture and recently admitted that if City were based in southern Europe, he would stay until being 'kicked out'.
Silva said: 'If Manchester City was in Lisbon, I'd stay until I'm 40. I truly love the football club, my team-mates, staff, fans, stadium, atmosphere - everything about my professional life.' He was hoping to win a seventh Premier League title in City colours before his departure, but his side fell short against Arsenal.
City also bid farewell to John Stones, who spent a decade at the club, and Pep Guardiola, who ended his decade-long tenure as City manager this week.
