Bernardo Silva, a midfielder for Man City, is considering a move to Benfica at the end of this summer, citing it as a lifelong career goal to return to the club. Silva began his football career at Benfica in 2014 before transferring to Monaco and eventually joining Manchester City. In a recent match against Newcastle, Silva scored two goals, helping secure Manchester City’s victory and advancement to the FA Cup semifinals.
Silva Desires to Join Benfica
Silva expressed his desire to join Benfica, stating, “It would be a dream and a lifelong goal.” Despite having a contract with Manchester City that runs until 2026, rumors have circulated regarding Silva’s potential move to Benfica. In an interview with the Portuguese outlet ISC, Silva was asked about his return to Benfica. He responded, “How far am I from returning? I think people are a bit tired of that question. It’s been a long time. I’m sure I’ll be back, but I don’t know when. It’s hard to predict the timing and say if it will be in two years, three years, or maybe next year with [current Benfica boss] Roger Schmidt [laughs]. But I’ve mentioned it multiple times, and I think people are tired of hearing it. Undoubtedly, returning to Benfica is a career and life goal for me.”
Benfica holds a special place in Silva’s heart, as it was his home club where he played in only three senior matches before moving to Monaco. Silva joined Benfica at the age of 12 and played for their U15, U17, and U19 teams. In 2014, he made the switch to Monaco, and in 2017, Manchester City signed him. Bernardo Silva has since spent seven years at Manchester City, contributing to numerous trophy wins, including the 2023 treble.
Pep Guardiola Hails Bernardo
Despite Silva’s announcement of his departure at the end of the summer, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists on keeping him. Silva’s outstanding performance against Newcastle, where he scored two goals, has further solidified Guardiola’s desire to retain him. Guardiola praised Silva, saying, “Everybody loves him, and we want him. He’s really important for us.
“Kevin De Bruyne will be back soon, but when you see the schedule after the international break, we have Arsenal, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Madrid,” Guardiola said. “We have a series of matches in quick succession, and it will be tough. We need everyone. I have emphasized many times how important Bernardo is, both personally and in terms of football. We play to win the finals but to reach the finals, we must succeed in the earlier rounds.”
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