David Silva is set to retire three years after leaving Manchester City.
The Real Sociedad midfielder has been forced to bring his 19-year playing career to an end after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training, according to The Athletic.
Silva is well known as one of the Premier League’s best ever players, having spent a decade with Man City.
The Spaniard made the move to England from Valencia for £30 million in 2010 and became the catalyst of Man City’s rise to the top – scoring 77 goals and providing 140 assists in 436 appearances and winning 14 trophies that included their first four Premier League titles.
Silva very quickly claimed legendary status at the Etihad Stadium, while his form carried over onto international duty as he scored 35 goals in 125 caps for Spain – helping them win the 2010 World Cup and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
David Silva would ‘lift the performance of everyone on the pitch’ – David Villa
Silva has received praise from some of the world’s biggest names and his compatriots including Iniesta, Xavi and David Villa, with the latter claiming in 2010 that he was a ‘legendary footballer’ and that he was always lucky to play alongside him.
The 37-year-old departed Manchester three years ago to much heartbreak, before returning to his home country where he signed for Real Sociedad.
Despite his age, Silva has continued to make a huge impact on the La Liga club and made 25 starts last season as they qualified for the Champions League for the first time in ten years. The midfielder also helped Real Sociedad to their first major trophy since 1987 as they lifted the Copa Del Ray in 2020 – Silva’s 16th major honour of his career.
While Silva’s retirement comes prematurely, the veteran has enjoyed almost two decades in football and has forged his name into the history books everywhere he has gone. The little magician will always be remembered by Man City fans and it will be difficult for any player to ever reach the heights quite like he did.
