Aside from his supreme technical quality, from the moment he arrived from Benfica in the summer of 2017, the Portuguese midfielder has always carried himself with the utmost class and composure - both on and off the pitch.
Over the course of what has proved a remarkable City career, the 31-year-old became one of the most admired and cherished of Pep Guardiola’s players.
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His standing within the squad was further illustrated last summer when Guardiola broke with tradition by personally appointing him as captain for the 2025/26 season.
And as he reflected on what has been an incredible, trophy-laden nine years at City ahead of his departure this summer, Bernardo said he was leaving happy to have helped others.
“I always thought in terms of the way that I behaved and performed that I was an example in the way that I show myself every day on the training ground and in football games,” Bernardo said.
“Then, with experience, then with time, you learn a lot of things, and you become better in also helping others.
“So, when I arrived, I was lucky enough to have a group of players that helped me settle, and that experience that they passed to me enabled me to now be able to do that for these young guys that arrived.
“So, I think it’s a mix of you wanting to be better every day and behaving in the right way, being an example in the way that you behave.
“And also with all that experience and the moments that we lived together in the past. being able to show to the new guys the right path for this club to be successful again.”
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Aside from a quite incredible haul of 20 major trophies in his time at City, Bernardo also leaves secure in the standing as one of the most admired and beloved players ever to have represented the Club.
That esteem and admiration for Bernardo’s ability and application has also really resonated across the football spectrum over the past few years.
But for the man himself, he says the respect and affection afforded him from his City colleagues and supporters is what has mattered most.
“Yeah, maybe [there was more appreciation], especially after I announced that I was leaving. I think it’s normal because nine years, it’s a long time,” Bernardo added.
“We won a lot and it’s really nice to get that appreciation.
“But I would say that the most important thing for me was never what I hear from the outside.
“Even though people say a lot to me, [or that] you weren’t appreciated enough.
“But I was, from my fans, from Man City fans, from my teammates, my manager, so the people that really matter to me.
“I was always very, very appreciated. So that’s what really counts to me.”
