By Samuel A. June 29, 2023
Former Manchester City and Spanish playmaker David Silva has bid football goodbye as the 2010 World Cup winner and four time Premier League champion announced his retirement on Thursday. The 37 year old played 436 games across 10 seasons at the Manchester club, having a hand in City’s journey to becoming the best team in England, winning a total of 11 major honours with the club.
Silva started his career at Valencia youth team, making his senior debut in 2004 and spending six years in La Liga before signing for City. In 125 international Spain caps, he scored 35 goals and won the 2010 World Cup, Euro 2008 and 2012. On his post on Thursday, he said in a video : “Today is a sad day for me. Today, it is time to say goodbye to what I have dedicated my whole life to. Today it is time to say goodbye to my colleagues, who are like family to me. I will miss you very much. Thank you because you have made me feel at home.”
He left City in 2020, with chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak, confirming Silva would be one of three players, with Vincent Kompany and Sergio Agüero – whose contribution to the club would be commemorated with a statue outside the Etihad.
Silva spent three seasons at Real Sociedad and made almost 100 appearances but was forced to hang up his boots after suffering a serious knee injury in pre-season training this month.
Silva retired from international duty in 2018 with three international titles won during his time. Manchester City paid tribute to their former player on social media, saying: “What an incredible career. Wishing you all the best for the future, El Mago!”
