The Spanish midfielder has enjoyed a wonderful nine years at the Etihad, winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups since joining in the summer of 2010, just days after becoming a World Cup winner.
It’s been a remarkable period of success for City, with Silva, now widely considered the greatest player in the Club’s illustrious history, central to it.
He announced this summer the 2019-20 season will be his last in Manchester, a decision he says wasn’t made lightly.
“I am very happy, because I feel that I made the right decision by coming here,” he says. “It has all gone really well. With the fans, the staff and the club, it has all been phenomenal.
“I am very happy, everyone has a huge respect towards me, it’s incredible. I couldn’t have asked for more.
“Obviously, it’s difficult [to leave after so many years]. It’s been a long time, but all good things come to an end.
“I want it to be this way, at a great level. The club has changed a lot.
“Every year, the team and the club have improved. That’s why lasting here for a long time and playing regularly is really difficult.
“For that reason, I’m very pleased for what I have achieved during my time here.”
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Silva was elected captain this summer after the squad voted on who should take the reigns following Vincent Kompany’s summer departure.
It was a decision that confirmed the high regard Silva is held in by his fellow professionals after years of stellar service.
There had been suggestions in some quarters the 33-year-old wasn’t vocal enough for the role, but he says he has his own way of leading.
“As captain I act as the same person they have seen over the last nine years,” he said.
“On the pitch, I’m going to help the whole team, and off the pitch too. In my own way, of course, I don’t talk much, but you don’t need to be a talker to be a good captain.”
City are currently embarking on a quest to win our third-consecutive Premier League title having collected an astonishing 198 points over the past two campaigns.
New signing Rodri has further strengthened our squad, but the race for the title looks set to go to the wire again with Liverpool continuing to look strong.
The Merseysiders posted 97 points last season – a record tally for a side finishing as runners up in the Premier League – and have started the new campaign strongly by taking 12 points from the first 12 available.
Silva admits the task will be a difficult one and believes a strong mentality will be key.
“It’s very difficult, obviously, because all of the teams have strengthened their squads,” he said.
“Every season is more and more difficult. That’s why what we did last season was something incredible and historic.
“[Winning again this season] will depend on how the season goes, the way we win it, but I guess the feeling would be very similar to the previous ones.
“Two years ago, it was special because of what happened in my private life, but every season when you win, it is a unique feeling.
“It’s difficult [to win it again], mentally you need to be very strong, turn the page every season, forget about what you have done and focus on the new challenges and ambitions of the new season.”
