- Bernardo Silva would like to end his career at the club that started it for him
- Although he does not know when he will leave England, he said it could be ‘next year’
- Did Manchester United derail Liverpool’s season? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Bernardo Silva has told fans it would be a ‘career and life goal’ to retire from football – and it is not at Manchester City.
The Portuguese star has been one of City’s most important players since taking over in 2017 and his contract expires in 2026.
In September he signed a one-year extension to his contract, but has now admitted he could leave ‘as soon as next year’.
Silva spoke of a triumphant return to Benfica, the club where he started his career and has long harbored ambitions to reunite.
‘How far am I from returning? I think people are a little tired of that question. It’s been a long time,” he said SIC, through SAPO Desporto.
Bernardo Silva has admitted he could return to former club Benfica as early as ‘next year’
His contract with Manchester City expires in 2026 and he is unsure when he will leave the club
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‘I’m sure I’ll be back, I don’t know when, it’s hard to time it and say if it’s in two years, in three years, if it’s next year with (current Benfica boss) Roger Schmidt (laughs ).
“But I’ve said it several times and I think people are getting tired of hearing it: it is without a doubt a career and life goal to return to Benfica.”
Although Silva has spoken about it several times, the sense of urgency is different this time.
At another point in the interview, Silva imagines a situation where “I come back next year and he (Roger Schmidt, the current boss) is my coach.”
Although the 29-year-old has clearly left his options open and could remain at City for years to come, this does show his fondness for Benfica.
He made just three senior appearances for them before Monaco snapped him up.
The playmaker then spent three seasons at Monaco, winning the Ligue 1 title and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in his final season.
City reportedly spent £43.5 million on him in the summer of 2017 and he has cemented his place as one of the best players in the world with them.
Pep Guardiola stressed it is ‘very, very important’ that he stays after the win over Leicester
A string of nine goals and five assists in this campaign is further testament to his influence from midfield.
After Man City’s 2-0 win over Leicester in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, P{ep Guardiola said: ‘Everyone loves him. He is very important to us and it is very important that he stays.’