David Silva and Txiki Begiristain recall Barcelona talks and bond that shaped Manchester City | OneFootball

David Silva and Txiki Begiristain reflected that their Manchester City partnership might have begun earlier at Barcelona. They worked together for eight years at City. According to AS, they spoke at the Txotx 2026 opening at the Saizar cider house in Usurbil.

Begiristain said he had wanted to take Silva to Barça before the playmaker joined City, and Silva said talks took place but no deal followed. Valencia refused to sell in 2008 while Begiristain led Barça’s recruitment.

Their friendship flourished in Manchester, with both seeing similar traits. It deepened when Silva later joined Real Sociedad, Begiristain’s most cherished club. Silva’s agent, Amadeo Rengel, teased the destination before revealing La Real.

Begiristain added that in a recent discussion with Khaldoon, Manchester City’s president, an AI exercise named Silva the most complete player in the club’s history, ahead of Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Agüero.

Begiristain says he does not miss football, enjoying life without a diary, time with his parents in Ordizia and simple routines like a steady pulse and 8-9 hours’ sleep.

He still watches plenty, choosing matches over scouting, often following Real Sociedad, Barcelona, City and the Premier League. He holds season tickets at Anoeta but is undecided about attending Sunday’s La Real v Barça game.

Silva will not go, returning to family life and time with his children. With more scope to travel beyond football, he opened the Txotx season in Usurbil and said it was a pleasure to reconnect and share Basque culture.

Source: AS