I will support City for the rest of my life, says Bernardo | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva says he leaves Manchester City as a fan of the Club for the rest of his life.

Men's Team

City commission recreation of iconic Oasis picture of Stones and Bernardo

The club captain will bring the curtain down on a magnificent nine-year stay in Manchester this summer.

With 20 trophies, no player has ever won more major honours in a City shirt than the Portuguese international.

Pre-order the Bernardo and Stones bookazine

And having played more games than anyone else during this historic period, the 31-year-old has given his all for the cause.

Speaking in his final studio interview as a City player, Bernardo made it clear just what the Club means to him.

“It’s difficult because nine years, it’s a very long time. I would say that I leave as a Man City supporter,” he said.

“When I arrived from Portugal, I was a fan of Benfica, but now I can say that for sure that my feelings toward this Club are very, very strong.

“I will be supporting Man City for the rest of my life.

“I also have the feeling of being grateful to the club, to the people, to what the fans gave me back. It was just unbelievable.”

Men's Team

John Stones and Bernardo Silva: Send us your Tributes

Born in Lisbon and a product of Benfica’s Academy before progressing to Monaco, Bernardo has taken City into his heart since his move in the summer of 2017.

However, the midfielder acknowledged that all good things must come to an end and outlined his reasons for making the decision to find pastures new at this stage of his career.

“It’s a mix of things in terms of trophies and what I personally achieved here. It’s never enough, but I feel that we won a lot, our generation,” he said.

“It’s time for these young guys to have their moment while for me personally, it’s an opportunity to go a bit closer to my family.

“It’s been quite a long time that I’ve been apart, and I want to be a bit closer to them.

“I also want a new challenge. Even though I love the football club and I loved the nine years here, I feel it’s the right moment for me to have a new challenge in my life.”

Men's Team

Bernardo: I always tried to set the perfect example

Small in stature, Bernardo made up for his lack of height and power with an outstanding work ethic and extraordinary technique.

His deep understanding of the game has also regularly been praised by Pep Guardiola, who has selected Bernardo more than any other player in his coaching career.

Asked about his close relationship with the boss, Bernardo says the Catalan inspired him a long time before they began working together.

“Way before I joined City, Pep was always an inspiration because when he was training Barcelona, that team with the small guys, with Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro,” he stated.

Find out more about our Stones & Silva pub

“I was at Benfica in my academy years where I didn’t play because they thought that I wasn’t big enough, that I wasn’t strong enough.

“I was looking at that team and thinking, these guys, they’re also not big, they’re also not strong. If they can do it, maybe one day I can do it.

“So, Pep’s team was always an inspiration for me and then to join this Club and to be able to be with him nine years and to be a part of this success, it’s fantastic.

“Fifteen years ago when I was in that bad situation where I didn’t play at Benfica because the people there didn’t believe in me because of my size and looking at his teams.

“Now being the player that has the most games on the team, it truly is special.”

Join us at Co-Op Live for the ‘After Party’

To mark the achievements of Manchester City men’s, women’s and academy teams during the 25/26 season, we can confirm that an open top bus parade will take place on Monday 25th May, followed by ‘The After Party’ a special celebration event at Co-op Live.

Event Information

Date: Monday 25 May

Doors Open: 15:00 (UK)

Parade Show begins: 16:00 (UK)

Final Entry: 17:00 (UK)

Player Arrival at Co-op Live: 18:30 (UK)

Event Closes: 20:00 (UK)

Find out more