Former Spain and Manchester City playmaker David Silva has announced his retirement from football.
Silva decided to call time on his 19-year playing career after sustaining a serious knee injury last week.
“Today is a sad day for me,” Silva said on social media.
“Today it is time to say goodbye to what I have dedicated my whole life to. Today it is time to say goodbye to my colleagues, who are like family to me. I will miss you very much.”
Muchas gracias…fútbol pic.twitter.com/HoB6TPojAd
— David Silva (@21LVA) July 27, 2023
The former Spain international moved to City from Valencia in 2010, and he ended up making 436 appearances and scoring 77 goals for the club.
Silva was a very popular player at City. He had great vision and was very good at attacking. In 2021, a statue of Silva was put up outside the Etihad Stadium, next to statues of club legends Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero.
He also helped City win two FA Cups and five League Cups, in addition to the four Premier League titles.
Silva stopped playing for Spain in 2018. He had won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
Manchester City paid tribute to their former player on social media, saying: “What an incredible career. Wishing you all the best for the future, El Mago!”
¡Qué carrera tan increíble! Gracias por todo. Te deseamos lo mejor para el futuro, leyenda 🩵 @21LVA pic.twitter.com/j2mzsbhup5
— Manchester City (@ManCityES) July 27, 2023
Silva made 125 appearances for his country, scoring 35 goals, and a tribute was paid on the Spain national team’s social media, stating: “Thank you for all the football you have given us. Your magic will last forever.”
— David Silva (@21LVA) July 27, 2023