29 July 2023 , 14:30
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Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to David Silva after the former Manchester City midfielder was forced to retire at the age of 37 after suffering a serious knee injury.
Silva, who was honoured with a statue outside the Etihad Stadium after a 10-year spell with the Blues which saw him win four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups, decided to hang up his boots after tearing his cruciate ligaments as he prepared for the new La Liga season with Real Sociedad.
Guardiola hailed the little Spaniard as being the best player he has ever coached who plays in the space behind the forwards. He said: “It is definitely sad news.
"David’s impact was not just at Manchester City, which was unbelievable, but at every team he played for - like Valencia, Eibar and the national team. He is the best I have seen playing in the pockets. He was one of the players who allowed for the success of this team.
"David is one of them. We wish him all the best in the future from the whole Manchester City family. It absolutely was a pleasure to be his manager and see day in and day out the quality he had.”
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Silva, who was born and raised on the sunshine island of Gran Canaria, made 125 appearances for Spain, scoring 35 goals. He helped his country win the 2010 World Cup and two European Championship titles.
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Pep Guardiola was David Silva's manager during his final years at Manchester CitySilva, nicknamed Merlin, moved to Manchester from Valencia after being part of the Spain squad that became world champions in South Africa. In his first season at the club, he was outstanding as City won their first trophy in 35 years by lifting the FA Cup.
The following season they were crowned champion for the first time since 1968. Silva made 436 appearances for City, scoring 77 goals.
He excelled under Guardiola and this contribution to the club was celebrated when a statue was commissioned just as he was leaving to return to Spain with Sociedad. Silva helped the La Liga club qualify for the Champions League before injury struck and he paid tribute to City when announcing his retirement.
"I am a lucky man who has been able to do what he likes most: play football and play it surrounded by the best professionals, team-mates and friends you can have. l am sad that I cannot help la Real in this exciting season," he said.
“I had an amazing decade at Manchester City. Where I enjoyed great successes, achieving titles such as Premier leagues, FA Cups and League Cups, in a club that won my heart forever and will always be special to me.
“Before leaving I want to end by thanking everyone who has accompanied me on this path, teammates, staff, fans. Special thanks must go to my family, who have always been there, in the good and most important in the bad moments."