Bernardo Silva confirms that this season will be the last at Manchester City, with the captain leaving when the current contract ends. The Portugal international is aiming to finish strongly, as Pep Guardiola's side still contest the Premier League, FA Cup and have already lifted the EFL Cup during a demanding campaign.
Manchester City have relied on Bernardo Silva during a nine-year spell that brought major success. Since arriving from Monaco in July 2017 for around £50m (€43.5m), the midfielder has helped shape an era that delivered six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and five EFL Cups, including the recent 2-0 win over Arsenal at Wembley.
Across that period, Bernardo Silva has built one of the strongest appearance records
in the club’s Premier League history. The 3-0 victory at Chelsea last Sunday was the 297th league game, leaving Bernardo Silva second on Manchester City’s all-time Premier League appearance list, behind only David Silva, who made 309 league appearances.
Bernardo Silva also sits high in Manchester City's attacking records. The captain has scored 45 Premier League goals and supplied 50 assists, placing seventh for total goal involvements for the club in the competition. These contributions underline why Guardiola trusted Bernardo Silva with the armband after Kevin De Bruyne left last year.
The 31-year-old has been linked with a move away from Manchester City for several seasons. Benfica, the childhood club of Bernardo Silva, have made clear a strong desire to bring the midfielder back to Estadio da Luz. Barcelona have also repeatedly been mentioned in reports as another possible destination once the contract expires.
Bernardo Silva addressed the decision in a long message on social media, reflecting on both career and life in Manchester. The captain stressed that the city meant more than trophies alone, noting that personal milestones, including marriage and family, also took place during this period with Manchester City.
"When I arrived nine years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things," Silva wrote on social media. "This city and this club gave me much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for. What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart. the Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the treble, four in a row and much more It wasn't that bad! In a few months it's time to say goodbye to the city where not only we won so much as a football club, but also where I started my marriage and my family. "
Thank you @ManCity pic.twitter.com/yznSiqxiPpBernardo Silva (@BernardoCSilva) April 16, 2026
Bernardo Silva devoted a section of the farewell to the Manchester City supporters, highlighting the importance of their backing. The captain emphasised a desire to show commitment in every game and stressed a continued emotional link with the club, stating that the connection would last beyond the final appearance in a Manchester City shirt.
"To the fans, your unconditional support throughout the years is something that I will never forget. My main goal as a player was to always play with passion, so you guys could feel proud and well represented on the pitch. I hope you felt that every single game. I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life. Keep supporting this young team and I'm pretty sure they will bring you a lot of new fantastic memories in the future. "
The message also thanked figures inside Manchester City, from Guardiola to the wider staff and squad. Bernardo Silva pointed to the daily atmosphere at the training ground and described it as a place that felt like home. The captain urged everyone to stay focused on the remaining fixtures and possible silverware.
"To the club, Pep, the staff and all my team-mates over these nine years, thank you for all the memories and for letting me be a part of this journey for so long. The atmosphere we created every day at the training ground made me feel at home and a part of a big family. Let's enjoy together these last weeks and fight for what this season still brings us. "
Manchester City already secured the EFL Cup this season after beating Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley. The team will meet Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals, while also sitting six points behind league leaders Arsenal, with one game in hand, before facing Mikel Arteta's side in a key Premier League clash this weekend.
As the season enters its final stretch, Bernardo Silva is set to close a decorated spell at Manchester City while still heavily involved on the pitch. The captain’s influence, leadership and statistics place Bernardo Silva among the most significant figures in the club’s modern era, with several major honours still within reach before the contract officially ends.
