Bernardo Silva Confirms Manchester City Exit After Nine Seasons and 451 Appearances — Portugal's Most Decorated Export Says Goodbye
Portugal's Bernardo Silva has confirmed he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season, closing a nine-year chapter that produced 19 major trophies including six Premier League titles and a Champions League.
Bernardo Silva, one of the most successful Portuguese footballers of his generation, confirmed on Wednesday that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the 2025–26 season. The 31-year-old midfielder broke the news in a lengthy Instagram post that was equal parts farewell letter and love note to the club where he won everything the game has to offer.
"When I arrived, nine years ago, I came chasing a boy's dream," Silva wrote. "This city and this club gave me much more than that."
A Trophy Cabinet Like No Other
Silva's haul at the Etihad Stadium is staggering. Over 451 appearances he collected 19 major honours: six Premier League titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups, five Carabao Cups, three Community Shields, one FIFA Club World Cup and one UEFA Super Cup. Few midfielders in the modern game can match the breadth of that collection.
His personal numbers — 76 goals and 77 assists — only tell part of the story. Signed from Monaco in the summer of 2017 for a reported EUR 50 million, the Lisbon-born playmaker quickly became the metronome of Pep Guardiola's possession machine. He was named Premier League Player of the Season in 2022–23, the campaign City completed an unprecedented treble of league, cup and Champions League.
Captain in His Final Season
In his ninth and final campaign, Silva has worn the armband in 44 matches, most recently leading the side to the 2026 Carabao Cup triumph. He registered three goals and five assists this season, but his influence has always extended far beyond the numbers.
"Your unconditional support over the years is something I will never forget," he told City supporters. "My main goal as a player was always to play with passion. I arrived as a Manchester City player, I leave as one of you, a City supporter for life."
What Comes Next
Silva did not reveal his next destination. Reports in the European press have linked him with Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus, while Inter Miami are also understood to be monitoring the situation. A sentimental return to Benfica, where he came through the academy before moving to Monaco in 2014, has not been ruled out, though his agent Jorge Mendes has said such a move is "not for now."
For Portuguese football fans, the departure is bittersweet. Silva remains a key figure in the national team and one of the most recognisable Portuguese athletes on the planet. Wherever he plays next season, his Manchester City chapter — 451 games, 19 trophies, one unforgettable era — is now formally closed.
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