Guardiola said Silva stood out the most during last year's nightmare season, when he remained fit while the rest of the squad was ravaged by injury and stood tall when the team went on a late run of wins which ensured they finished third in the Premier League table.
The coach explained: "Last season was the biggest example. Last season was the toughest one – I don't need to explain the reason why, everyone knows it – and he was always there, leading by example playing and training good. He is not the tallest one, the most muscular one, or score 50 goals or make 50 assists a season. These are the type of players that are spotlighted and everyone talks about. From nine years, I know him quite well and for what a manager requires.
"All managers would say how much they love him because he is incredibly competitive, has a fire inside him always. In the toughest moments and on the biggest stages, he is always there. I have said many times, in the big games it is not about playing good or bad, it is about being yourself and being not afraid. Bernie has had all these attributes this since day one when he arrived from Monaco."
The coach was asked so many questions about Silva during the press conference that he joked "I didn't realise this was his farewell press conference."