Bernardo

Silva

Tenacious, hard-working playmaker...

City signed Bernardo Silva in July 2017 after he helped Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and a hugely impressive run to the Champions League semi-finals.

Blessed with balance, guile and great technique the Portuguese midfielder is a threat both centrally and out wide and earned the nickname ‘Bubblegum’ due to the manner in which the ball sticks to his feet on mazy dribbles.

Add to that a tireless work-rate and it’s easy to understand why Bernardo has been influential in his two-years in Manchester, helping City win two Premier Leagues, two Carabao Cups, an FA Cup and the Community Shield.

His career began with Benfica, where he progressed from the B team, but found first-team opportunities limited, which led to a season-long loan at Monaco in 2013/14.

So impressive was he, that the Ligue 1 outfit made the deal permanent six months into the agreement and he flourished over the next three seasons.

A third place finish and Champions League run to the quarter-finals in 2015/16 was eclipsed the following year when Bernardo provided 12 assists and scored 11 goals as Monaco won Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League last four.

His form earned him an international debut against Cape Verde in March.

He moved to City that summer and grew into his role in an impressive first season, netting nine times and adding 11 assists as he ended the campaign with a Premier League and Carabao Cup medal.

The 2018 World Cup followed, with Bernardo playing in all four games as Portugal reached the last 16.

His second season in Manchester proved even better on both a personal and team level. City swept all before the domestically and the 24-year-old was sensational throughout.

He recorded 13 goals and 14 assists in 51 appearances, winning Man of the Match in the Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea and ending the campaign as the Club’s Player of the Season.

Early in 2019 he signed a contract extension which keeps at City until 2025.

In 2019/20, he made 52 appearances and scored eight goals - his third campaign in a that he clocked up a half century or more for the Club.

Bernardo was again integral to the City team in 2020/21 season, making 45 appearances to take his Club total to 201 - an average of 50.25 games per campaign.

2021/22 proved to be another magnificent season for the popular midfielder.

As well as winning three successive Etihad Player of the Season votes, he played 50 times and equalled his best goals tally with 13.

Armed with extensive experience at international level too, Silva was part of the Portuguese squad that reached the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup finals.

He made five appearances in total at the Qatar showpiece, impressing throughout for the Iberian nation.

Bernardo had the distinction, in March's 2-0 home win over Newcastle United, of scoring City's 1,000th home goal in the Premier League era, his all-important in that Etihad Stadium game securing a valuable three points.