Manchester City are set to lose a player Pep Guardiola once called 'my weakness' and 'my favourite'. Bernardo Silva, described as a time-travelling, shapeshifting superhero, is leaving after a decade at the club.
Silva's versatility is unmatched. He often plays in every position during a single match, sometimes even in a single move. He collects the ball from the keeper, pops up at right-back, becomes a playmaker, then appears on the wing to deliver a cross. His goals include a curler against Arsenal, a screamer against United, and a stunning volley against Birmingham. He also scored twice against Real Madrid in the 2023 Champions League semi-final.
His stats are not outstanding — 76 goals and 77 assists in 459 appearances — but he will be remembered for his grace, intelligence, ability to find space, and incredible stamina. In a 2019 match against Liverpool, he ran 13.7km, the most recorded in a Premier League game.
Silva often expressed a desire to leave for sunnier climates, but he stayed until now. Alongside David Silva, he helped City become the first team to reach 100 points in a season, win a domestic clean sweep, and secure four consecutive Premier League titles.
