Bernardo Silva bid farewell to the Manchester City faithful against Aston Villa in a game that was Pep Guardiola‘s final match in charge of the club
Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva(Image: (Visionhaus/Getty Images))
View 2 Images
Bernardo Silva has decided not to make a call on his future until after the World Cup. Silva left the Etihad Stadium after nine trophy-laden years following the expiry of his contract at the end of the season.
Reports then emerged last week claiming that he was set to sign for Barcelona on a free transfer having also been offered a deal by Atletico Madrid and Benfica. However, the Portugal international has had a change of heart and will now decide his next move after the World Cup.
“Bernardo will decide after World Cup”, Silva’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is quoted as telling journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Silva played 460 games during his nine years at City, and he won 15 major trophies with the club, including four-successive Premier League titles between 2021-2024, the treble in 2023 and all four domestic trophies in the 2018-19 season.
The Times last week reported that Silva would like to end his playing career at Benfica, where he came through the academy. However, he believes he can still play at a higher level for another couple of years first.
Opening up on his decision to leave City last month, Silva admitted to Canal 11: “It was a decision I made two years ago, that I would see out my contract and then we would go our separate ways. When I made the decision, I knew I wouldn’t change my mind.
“When I arrived, I never imagined I’d stay for nine years, that’s a long time at a club. The decision to leave was a natural one. It’s my last chance to take on another challenge in my life, to do something different.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates with the Emirates FA Cup trophy in front of the fans after the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Manchester City on May 16, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Bernardo Silva with the FA Cup
View 2 Images
“Since I left, my family has been pulling me back. They know that nine years is a long time and, after everything I’ve achieved here, it made sense to do something different.”
Asked if City had tried to convince him to stay even longer, Silva added: “They tried. They kept trying, but they realised my stance wasn’t going to change.
“In the end, they stopped pushing the issue. They gradually realised. And then they started joking that I was leaving but never actually would. They didn’t quite believe it.
“Ruben (Dias) and Matheus (Nunes) knew my decision wouldn’t change. I didn’t make a formal announcement, but I always said I’d see out my contract and then leave.”