Bernardo Silva Reveals Why He Left Manchester City
Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City this summer, bringing an end to a historic era with the English club. In an interview with Soltinhos pelo Mundo, the player spoke about the reasons behind his departure, his relationship with Pep Guardiola, and what it meant to be part of one of the greatest periods in the club’s history.
According to the player himself, the decision was neither sudden nor improvised. “The decision took time; I made it about two years ago when I signed my last contract in 2023,” confessed Silva. The Portuguese star explained that he had understood for quite some time that his cycle in Manchester was coming to an end and wanted to close this chapter in the best possible way.
An Unforgettable Legacy With the Cityzens
Bernardo Silva also made it clear how much affection he has for the club and its supporters. “I had never been at a club like this before,” he said emotionally. The Portuguese midfielder became one of the most important players of the Cityzens’ golden era and played a key role in winning the first UEFA Champions League title in Manchester City’s history.
Beyond the trophies, Silva leaves behind an unforgettable mark in the club’s record books. He is one of the players with the most titles won wearing the sky-blue jersey and the footballer with the most international appearances in City history, with 91 matches in European competitions.
The Portuguese international will play his final match at the Etihad Stadium against Aston Villa, recent winners of the Europa League, and knows it will be an emotional farewell. “I can’t imagine myself crying, but knowing it’s the last time I’ll play with some teammates gives me goosebumps,” he admitted.
A Special Connection With Pep Guardiola
He also reflected on his relationship with Pep Guardiola, one of the closest bonds inside the City locker room. “I don’t know what I did, but I always felt the support of my coach and my club,” he said jokingly. Guardiola turned Bernardo into one of his most trusted players and, in fact, he became the footballer the Catalan manager used the most during his time in Manchester. Silva even revealed that some people inside the club nicknamed him “Berniadola” because of his close connection with the coach.
Now, the future of Bernardo Silva remains uncertain. Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona have emerged as the main contenders for his signature, although the Portuguese midfielder first wants to close his chapter in England and fully focus on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Portugal will aim to make history with a generation full of talent and experience.
