David Silva - Wikipedia

On 26 June 2019, Silva announced that he would leave Manchester City at the end of the 2019–20 season, ending his ten-season tenure at the club. On 28 September ... DavidSilva FromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia Jumptonavigation Jumptosearch Spanishassociationfootballplayer ForotherpeoplenamedDavidSilva,seeDavidSilva(disambiguation). InthisSpanishname,thefirstorpaternalsurnameisJiménezandthesecondormaternalfamilynameisSilva. DavidSilva SilvawithSpainatUEFAEuro2012PersonalinformationFullname DavidJosuéJiménezSilva[1]Dateofbirth (1986-01-08)8January1986(age 36)Placeofbirth Arguineguín,SpainHeight 1.70 m(5 ft7 in)[2]Position(s) MidfielderClubinformationCurrentteam RealSociedadNumber 21Youthcareer1995–2000 SanFernando2000–2003 ValenciaSeniorcareer*Years Team Apps (Gls)2003–2004 ValenciaB 14 (4)2004–2010 Valencia 119 (31)2004–2005 →Eibar(loan) 35 (4)2005–2006 →Celta(loan) 34 (4)2010–2020 ManchesterCity 309 (60)2020– RealSociedad 46 (4)Nationalteam2001–2002 SpainU16 6 (2)2002–2003 SpainU17 20 (5)2004–2005 SpainU19 14 (5)2005 SpainU20 5 (4)2004–2006 SpainU21 9 (7)2006–2018 Spain 125 (35) Honours Men'sfootball Representing Spain FIFAConfederationsCup 2009 Runner-up 2013 FIFAWorldCup Winner 2010 UEFAEuropeanChampionship Winner 2008 Winner 2012 FIFAU-17WorldCup Runner-up 2003 UEFAEuropeanUnder-17Championship Runner-up 2003 UEFAU-19EuropeanChampionship Winner 2004 *Clubdomesticleagueappearancesandgoals,correctasof15May2022 DavidJosuéJiménezSilva(born8January1986)isaSpanishprofessionalfootballerwhoplaysforLaLigaclubRealSociedad.Silvaplaysmainlyasacentraloranattackingmidfielderbutcanalsoplayasawingerorsecondstriker.Heispredominantlyaleft-footedplayer[3]andhispassingabilityandpossession-retainingqualitieshaveearnedhimthenicknames"Merlin"and"ElMago"fromhisteammatesandfans.[4][5]Heisconsideredtobeoneofthegreatestmidfieldersofhisgeneration. SilvaspentsixyearsofhisprofessionalcareerwithValenciaCF,appearinginmorethan160gamesandwinningaCopadelReyin2008.Inthesummerof2010,hemovedtoManchesterCityandhassinceappearedinover400matches.[6]WiththemhehaswontwoFACups,fiveLeagueCupsandfourPremierLeaguetitles.HeisregardedasoneofManchesterCity'sgreatesteverplayersalongsideBillyMeredith,BertTrautmann,ColinBellandSergioAgüero.[7][8][9][10]SilvahasbeennamedinthePFATeamoftheYearthreetimes.On26June2019,SilvaannouncedthathewouldleaveManchesterCityattheendofthe2019–20season,endinghisten-seasontenureattheclub.[11]On28September2019,hebecametheyoungestplayertoreach200winsinthePremierleague,breakingtherecordsetbyChelseadefenderJohnTerry.[12] SilvaalsorepresentedSpain,fromhisdebutfortheseniorteamin2006untilhisinternationalretirementin2018.HeformedamidfieldpartnershipwithXaviandAndrésIniestawhichledtothreeconsecutiveinternationaltournamentvictories–UEFAEuro2008,2010FIFAWorldCup,andUEFAEuro2012.Heisoneof13Spanishplayerstohaveamassed100caps,hescored35goalsinhisinternationalcareer,makinghimthe4thhighestgoalscorerinSpain'shistory,andalsoprovided29assists,makinghimthesecond-highestassistproviderinSpain'shistory. Contents 1Earlylife 2Clubcareer 2.1Valencia 2.2ManchesterCity 2.2.12010–11:Debutseason,endingthetrophydrought 2.2.22011–12:PremierLeaguewin,assistleader 2.2.32012–13:PremierLeague,FACuprunner-up 2.2.42013–14:PremierLeagueandLeagueCupdouble 2.2.52014–15:Contractextension,PremierLeaguerunner-up 2.2.62015–16:UEFAChampionsLeagueSemi-Final 2.2.72016–17:ManchesterCityPlayeroftheYear 2.2.82017–18:ThirdPremierLeagueandLeagueCupwin 2.2.92018–19:Fourtitlesinoneseason 2.2.102019–20:FifthLeagueCupwin,departure,statue 2.3RealSociedad 3Internationalcareer 3.1UEFAEuro2008 3.22010FIFAWorldCup 3.3UEFAEuro2012Qualifying 3.4UEFAEuro2012 3.52013FIFAConfederationsCup 3.62014FIFAWorldCup 3.7UEFAEuro2016 3.8Lateryearsandretirement 4Styleofplay 5Personallife 6Careerstatistics 6.1Club 6.2International 7Honours 8Seealso 9References 10Externallinks Earlylife[edit] SilvawasborninArguineguín,GranCanaria,CanaryIslands,toFernandoJiménez,aformermunicipalpoliceofficerwhoeventuallywasresponsibleforthesafetyoftheValenciaCFstadiumandEvaSilva.Hisfather,Fernando,isSpanish(Canarian)whilehismother,Eva,isofJapanesedescent,claimedbytheCanarianmedia.[13] SilvabeganplayingfootballintheyouthteamofUDSanFernando,nearMaspalomas.Originally,heplayedasagoalkeeper,beforebecomingawingerandmirroredhisgamearoundhisfootballingidolasayouth,MichaelLaudrup.[14]Whenhewas14,hereceivedanoffertobecomeayouthplayeratValenciaCF,whichheaccepted.HestayedinValencia'syouthset-upuntilhewas17. Clubcareer[edit] Valencia[edit] AproductofValencia'syouthsystem,Silvamadehisprofessionaldebutin2004–05,withSegundaDivisión'sEibar,whileonloanfromValencia,playing35leaguegamesandscoringonfiveoccasions.Inthefollowingseason,hewasagainoutonloan,thistimetoCeltadeVigo,whereheplayed34matches,scoringfourgoals.Aftertwolatesubstituteappearances,thefirstina2–0homewinoverMálagaon28August2005,SilvafinishedasanundisputedstarterastheGaliciansidereachedtheUEFACupstraightfromthesecond-tier. SilvaplayingforValenciaSilvareturnedtoValenciainthesummerof2006,becominganautomaticfirst-choicedespitehisyoungageof20.Intwoseasonscombined,heonlymissedsixmatchesandnetted14goals,hisfirstleaguegoalcomingon5November2006ina1–1drawatEspanyol.InAugust2008,heextendedhiscontractbyfiveyears,amidstinterestofseveralPremierLeagueteams.[15]HewontheCopadelRey2008,hisfirsttitleinSpain. Afternotappearinginthefirstthreemonthsof2008–09duetoachronicankleailment,[16]Silvareturnedtothecall-upsinmid-December.On3January2009,hescoredtwiceina3–1homewinoverAtléticoMadrid,[17]stillcontributingwith19matches(fourgoals)astheChequalifiedfortheEuropaLeague. Inthe2009–10season,Silvascoredacareer-besteightgoals,asValenciafinishedinthirdpositionandreturnedtotheUEFAChampionsLeague.On15April2010,hescoredabraceagainstAthleticBilbaofora2–0homewin,[18]addingthreeassistsinthe4–4thrilleratWerderBremenfortheEuropaLeague'sroundof16.[19] ManchesterCity[edit] 2010–11:Debutseason,endingthetrophydrought[edit] SilvawithManchesterCityinApril2011 On30June2010,ManchesterCityannouncedthattheyhadreachedanagreementwithValenciaoverthetransferofSilvaandthathewouldjointheclubonafour-yeardeal,priortothestartofthe2010–11season.[20]On14July,thePremierLeaguesidecompletedthesigning[21]andSilvawasawardedthenumber21shirt,thesamenumberheworeforValenciaandwhenplayingforSpain.ManchesterCityhadpreviouslytriedtosignSilvaandhisValenciateammateDavidVillain2008,butwereputoffwhenValenciaquoteda£135 millioncombinedpricetagonbothplayers.[22] CitymanagerRobertoMancinimainlydeployedSilvaasawinger[23]andlaterinatrequartistaroleinhisfirstseason.[24]SilvamadehisPremierLeaguedebuton14August2010ina0–0drawagainstTottenhamHotspuratWhiteHartLane.[25]Hescoredhisfirstgoalfortheclubon16September,eightminutesintotheEuropaLeaguegroupmatchagainstRedBullSalzburg.[26]On17October,hescoredhisfirstleaguegoalinagameagainstBlackpool,nettingCity'sthirdgoalina3–2awaywin.[27]Ina3–1homewinintheEuropaLeagueagainstLechPoznań,hesetuptwogoalsforEmmanuelAdebayor.[28]HemadeanotherassistslippingthroughAdamJohnsonforManchesterCity'sthirdina3–1awaywinagainstWestHamUnited.[29]ErroneousmediareportsemergedsuggestingSilvacouldreturntoSpainandcitedhomesicknessanddifficultytoadapttotheEnglishgame.[citationneeded]Hisperformances,however,impressedCitysupportersandearnedhimthreeconsecutiveManchesterCityPlayeroftheMonthawardsfromOctobertoDecember2010.[30] On12February2011,hewascreditedfortheequalisinggoalinthe2–1losstorivalsManchesterUnitedwhenanEdinDžekoshotdeflectedoffhisbackandintothenet.On2March,hescoredfrom20yardsoutinanFACupwin(3–0)againstAstonVilla.Threedayslater,hescoredtheonlygoalinManchesterCity'swinagainstWiganAthletic.SilvanettedthethirdgoalinCity's5–0routofSunderlandon3April.HisassisttoYayaTouréagainstEvertonatGoodisonParktookSilvato15assistsinallcompetitionsfortheseason.[citationneeded] FollowinghisdebutseasoninthePremierLeague,Silvaemergedasoneoftheleague'sfinestplaymakers.CarlosTevezlaudedhimas"thebestsigningwe[ManchesterCity]havemade."[31]Silvafinishedthe2010–11campaignwithfourgoalsandsevenassistsin35leagueappearances.[32] 2011–12:PremierLeaguewin,assistleader[edit] SilvapriortoaleaguematchagainstLiverpoolin2011 Silvabeganthe2011–12seasoninfineform,scoringthethirdgoalinCity's4–0thrashingofSwanseaCity[33]andwasvotedmanofthematch.HealsoscoredthefollowingweekagainstBoltonWanderers,andwasagainnamedmanofthematch.[34]SilvathensetuptwoofSergioAgüero'sthreegoalsinCity'ssecondhomegameagainstWiganAthletic.HewasbeginningtoformagreatunderstandingwiththeArgentine,withthepairhavingcombinedtoscorethreegoalsalready.AfteraseriesofmagnificentdisplaysfromSilva,CitybossRobertoMancinicomparedhimtofellowSpaininternationalsXaviandAndrésIniestaandsaidthatSilvais"oneofthebestplayersintheworld."[35]On1October,SilvawasawardedthePremierLeaguePlayeroftheMonthforhisoutstandingperformances,makingitthefirsttimeeverthattwoManchesterCityplayershavewontheawardinback-to-backmonthswithEdinDžekowinningitthemonthbefore.[36] InthefirstManchesterDerbyoftheseasonatOldTrafford,ManchesterCitywon6–1,withSilvaproving,yetagain,tobeinstrumentalintheManchesterCityattack,scoringthefifthgoal,settingupEdinDžeko'ssecondwithachestedvolleypassthroughtheUniteddefense,andparticipatinginthefirsttwogoalswithexcellentpassingtoJamesMilnertoassistMarioBalotelli.[37]Hewasdescribedashavingbeen"twostepsaheadofalltheUnitedplayers"intheaftermathofthematch.[38]On25October2011,inaninterviewwithaSpanishradiostation,SilvarevealedthatheturneddownBarcelonaandRealMadridsohecouldsignforCity,andthathewantstostayattheclubforyears.Hecommented,"MadridandBarcelonaaregreatteams,butI'mhappyhereandIwouldliketostayhereformanyyears."[39]FormerCityandEnglanddefenderEarlBarrettsaidheisalmostimpossibletostopduetohisabilitytocreatespace[40]andAndyCole,whomostlyplayedforManchesterUnited,hasstatedthatSilva"isajoytowatch."[41] SilvascoredagoalinCity's3–2awaywinagainstQueensParkRangerson5November[42]andalsoscoredinCity's1–0homewinagainstArsenalon18December.[43]HealsocontributedbyscoringthefourthgoalinCity's4–0winagainstWestBromwichAlbionon11April2012.[44]HavingdonewelltocutthegapbetweenthemandManchesterUnitedtojustthreepoints,CitywentintoApril'sManchesterDerbyknowingthatawinwouldbeenoughtosendthemtopofthePremierLeagueongoaldifference.InamatchwidelybilledasthebiggestgameinPremierLeaguehistory,[45]SilvadeliveredacornerwhichwasheadedhomebyVincentKompanyforthewinner.[45]Citytriumphed1–0,andreturnedtotheleaguesummithavingbeeneightpointsbehindtheircityrivalsasrecentlyasthestartofthatmonth.[46] On13May2012,withCityheadingintothefinaldayoftheseasonneedingawinoverQPRtosecuretheirfirsttopflighttitlein44years,SilvadeliveredacrossforEdinDžekotoscoretheequaliserinthe91stminuteofthematch.InadditiontowinninghisfirstPremierLeaguemedalwithManchesterCity,healsofinishedtheseasonontopoftheassiststablewith15assiststohisname[47]andwasoneoffourCityplayerswhomadeitinthePFA'sPremierLeagueTeamoftheYear.[48] 2012–13:PremierLeague,FACuprunner-up[edit] "Heisthemaestro,heknowswherethepassesaregoingtogo.Herunsthegame.Ajoytowatch." JamieRedknapp On17September2012,Silvasignedanewfive-yeardealatCity,committinghimselftotheEtihadStadiumuntil2017.[49] Justsixdaysaftersigninghisnewcontract,Silvagotoffthemarkinthe2012–13PremierLeagueseason,registeringanassistforJoleonLescottina1–1drawwithArsenal.[50]Hefollowedthisupwithanotherassistthefollowingweek,asheplayedinAguerotoscoreagainstFulhamatCravenCottage.[51]HeinjuredhimselfplayingforSpaininOctober,whichmeanthehadtomissthreegamesforManchesterCity.On11November,heprovidedthecrucialassist,aloftedthrough-ball,tostrikerEdinDžeko,whoconvertedinthe88thminutetosteala2–1victoryoverTottenhamHotspur.[52]Hisfirstleaguegoaloftheseasoncameina5–0thrashingofAstonVillaathomeintheverynextleaguematch,on17November. On19January2013,SilvascoredtwiceagainstFulhamathomeina2–0win.On9March,hescoredthefifthandfinalgoalinManchesterCity's5–0winagainstBarnsleyattheCityofManchesterStadiuminthequarter-finalsoftheFACup,sealingprogressiontothesemi-finals.DespitemissingtheclashwithChelseathroughinjury,Cityprevailed2-1throughgoalsfromAgueroandSamirNasri,leadingthemtotheirsecondFACupFinalinthreeseasons.[53]Theywouldfacerelegation-threatenedWiganAthleticatWembley.Silvastartedthematchandplayedthefull90minutes,buttheBlueswererockedbyaPabloZabaletaredcard,withalateBenWatsonheadercompoundingtheirmisery.[54]ItwasoneofthegreatFACupupsets,andendedupcostingCitybossMancinihisjob.[55] InthepenultimatePremierLeaguegameagainstReading,SilvamadeasuperbpasstoDžekowhichtooktheentireReadingdefenseoutofthegame.[56]Džekoscored,sealinga0–2wininCity'sfirstmatchsincethesackingofRobertoMancini.Silvafinishedtheseasonwithfourgoalsandtenassistsin32leagueappearancesforaCitysquadthatfinishedrunners-uptocityrivalsManchesterUnitedforthePremierLeaguetitle. 2013–14:PremierLeagueandLeagueCupdouble[edit] The2013–14PremierLeagueseasonwasatoughoneforSilva,asnumerousinjurieslimitedhimtojust27leagueappearances.Nonetheless,hedidwelltomaintainhisstellarrecordofgoalsandassistsforManchesterCity.On19August2013,SilvascoredManchesterCity'sopeninggoalofthecampaignina4–0winagainstNewcastleUnitedattheCityofManchesterStadium.[57]Hefollowedthisupwithanassistinthe3–2defeatatCardiff,crossingforAlvaroNegredotoscore.[58]On5October,SilvabeganoneofhismostproductivespellsinthePremierLeague.MakinghisfirstleaguestartsinceAugustfollowinganumberofinjurysetbacks,[59]heassistedSergioAguerotoscoreagainstEverton,[60]beforescoringonceandsettingupanotherina3–1victoryoverWestHam.[61]Silvathenscoredagaininthe7–0homewinoverNorwichon2November,buthisgoodformwascurtailedbyacalfinjury,whichruledhimoutofCity'snextsixgames. Hemadehisreturnon14December,scoringathomeina6–3winoverArsenal,[62]beforesettingupgoalsineachofthenexttwogamesagainstFulhamandLiverpool.SilvawasalsoenjoyingoneofhismostproductiveUEFAChampionsLeaguecampaignstodate,havingmanagedthreeassistsandagoalinGroupD,includingastrikeina3–2winoverchampionsBayernMunich[59]inDecember. CityhadalsoprogresseddeepintotheLeagueCup,eliminatingLeicesterandNewcastletoreachthesemi-final,wheretheywouldfaceWestHamUnited.Silvaplayed73minutesofthefirstleg,whichCitywonbyamassive6-0scoreline,[63]meaninghewasrestedforthereturnleg(aroutine3-0win).Hewasrestoredtothestartinglineupinthefinal,wheregoalsfromYayaToure,NasriandsubstituteJesusNavasearnedCitytheirfirstLeagueCuptriumphsince1976.[64] ThemonthofMarchwasaproductiveoneforSilva,asheregisteredtwogoalsandtwoassistsintheleague,alongwithaslewofexcellentperformances.HewasnamedManchesterCity'sPlayeroftheMonthforMarch2014,afterscoringinawaymatchesagainstHullCityandArsenal.[65]SilvafollowedthisupwithagoalandassistagainstLiverpoolatAnfield,butcouldnotpreventtheBluesslippingtoa3–2defeat.[66]However,followingastrongrunofforminthefinalfivegamesoftheseason,CitypippedtheMerseysiderstothetitle,andSilvaclaimedhissecondPremierLeaguewinnersmedaltoaddtotheonefrom2011–12.Heendedthecampaignwitheightgoalsand16assistsinallcompetitions. 2014–15:Contractextension,PremierLeaguerunner-up[edit] Silvaplayinginthe2014FACommunityShieldagainstArsenal On10August,Silvaplayedinthe2014FACommunityShield,amatchCitylost3–0toArsenal.[67]Twodayslater,hesignedafive-yearcontractextensionwithCity.[68]Likethepreviousseason,on17August,SilvascoredManchesterCity'sopeninggoalofthe2014–15PremierLeagueseasonina2–0awaywinagainstNewcastleUnited.SilvathenscoredagainstWestBromonBoxingDay.[69] On21February2015,SilvascoredabraceagainstNewcastleUnitedina5–0win.[70]HewontheEtihadPlayeroftheMonthawardforhisperformancesinFebruary.[71][72]On4March,Silvascoredin1–0winagainstLeicesterCitytotakehimtotenleaguegoalsinaseasonforthefirsttimeinhiscareer.[73][74]JamieRedknappdescribedhimasa"maestro"forhisperformancesforCity,[75]whilehisteammateEdinDžekocalledhim"thebestplayerinthePremierLeague."[76][77][78] Threedayslater,CitytookonBarcelonaattheEtihadStadiuminthefirstlegoftheirUEFAChampionsLeagueRoundof16clash.TheBlueswerelargelyblownawaybyBarcelona'simmensequality,butthegamewasmarkedbyaningeniousbackheelflickfromSilvatoAguero,whoscoredtopullonebackforCity.[79] On19April,ina2–0victoryoverWestHam,SilvawascaughtinthefacebytheelbowofCheikhouKouyaté,requiringeightminutesoftreatmentbeforebeingsubstitutedforSamirNasri.[80]Testsconfirmedthathehadnotfracturedhischeekbone.[81] On10May,SilvascoredagoalinCity's6–0winoverQueensParkRangers,whichresultedinthelatter'srelegation.[82]Heendedthecampaignwith12goalsand10assistsinallcompetitions,withall12strikescominginthePremierLeague-acareerhigh. 2015–16:UEFAChampionsLeagueSemi-Final[edit] IntheopeningmatchofthePremierLeagueseason,ina0–3winatWestBrom,SilvadeliveredaperformancehismanagerManuelPellegrinilabelled"unbelievable".[83]Aswellasassistingtheteam'sthirdgoal,acleverbackheelflickonYayaToure'slongrangedrivesenttheballspinningintothenet.[84]AfterprovidinganotherthreeassistsfortheteaminAugust(inwinsagainstChelseaandWatford),[85][86]SilvawasnominatedforbothoftheManchesterCityandPremierLeaguePlayeroftheMonthAwardsforAugust,winningtheformer.[87][88] SilvawasinjuredformostofOctoberandNovemberafterpickingupanankleinjury,whileplayingforSpainon9October.[89][90]Hemadehisreturn,asa75th-minutesubstitute,ina3–1leaguedefeatofSouthamptonon28November.[91]HenettedtheopenerinthelastUEFAChampionsLeaguegroupstagematchon8December,ina4–2homedefeatofBorussiaMönchengladbach,whichresultedinManchesterCitytoppingtheirgroupforthefirsttime.[92]SilvaprovidedanotherthreeassistsinhomevictoriesagainstTyne-WearrivalsNewcastleUnitedandSunderland.[93][94] SilvawarmingupbeforeapreseasonmatchagainstTottenhaminJuly2017 Ina4–0homeleaguewinagainstCrystalPalaceon16January2016,Silvascoredone,set-upanothertwogoalsandplayedakeypassintheremaininggoal.[95][96]HavingstartedeverymatchofCity'sLeagueCupcampaignsincethequarter-finalstage,hestartedthe2016FootballLeagueCupFinalon28February,playing110minutesagainstLiverpoolasthematchwenttoextratime.[97]Hewasreplaced10minutesfromtimebyWilfriedBony,andManchesterCitywentontodefeattheReds3-1onpenalties,withSilvawinninghissecondLeagueCupwiththeclub.[98]Heclaimedanotherbraceofassistsina4–0homedefeatofAstonVillasixdayslater.[99] On24February,SilvascoredCity'ssecondastheybeatDynamoKyiv3-1inthefirstlegoftheirChampionsLeagueRoundof16tie,hissecondstrikeoftheEuropeancampaign.[100]HeproceededtostartCity'snextfourgamesinthecompetition,astheBluesmadetheirdeepestruninhistory,reachingthesemi-finals.However,havingstartedasoneofCity'sbrightestplayersinthesemi-finalfirstlegagainstRealMadrid,Silvawasforcedoffafterjust40minutesduetoinjury.ThiscausedhimtomissthesecondlegattheSantiagoBernabeu,[101]andhisteamsufferedinhisabsence-theBlueswerebeaten1-0onthenightandonaggregate.[102]Pellegrinilamentedthelossofhismainplaymaker,assertingthattheabsenceofSilvahadcrippledhissideandhamstrungtheirabilitytocreatechances.[103] Silvaendedthecampaignwithfourgoalsand12assistsin36matches,adisappointingcampaignforhimpersonally,andoneinwhichhemissed22matchesduetoapersistentankleinjury,amongstotherissues.Nonetheless,itwasatrophy-winningseason,theninthmajorhonourofhiscareer. 2016–17:ManchesterCityPlayeroftheYear[edit] WithPepGuardiolaarrivingasManchesterCity'snewmanagertomuchfanfare,itwasthebeginningofaneweraforCity.Havingputpentopaperonathree-yearcontractwiththeBlues,[104]thelegendarymanagerstatedthatoneofthereasonshehadcometotheclubwastoworkwithSilva,whomhedescribedasaspecialplayer,andoneofthebesthehadevertrained.[105]InGuardiola'sfirstseasonattheclub,Silvascoredonegoalina5–0winoverSteauaBucureștiinthe2016–17UEFAChampionsLeagueplay-offround.[106]HeenjoyedarelativelyproductiveEuropeancampaignthatseason-havingprovidedanassistforRaheemSterlingagainstCeltic,helaterscoredtheequalisinggoalina1–1drawagainstBorussiaMönchengladbachinthegroupstage.[107]TheBluesprogressedtotheknockoutstageswheretheywouldfaceMonacointheRoundof16,butdespiteanotherpinpointSilvacrosstoassistAguero,Citycrashedoutofthetournamentonawaygoalsfollowinga5-5aggregatedraw.[108] Intheleague,despiteabrightopeningtothecampaignwhenCitystormedtothetopofthetable,itprovedadifficultseasonfortheBlues,astheyeventuallyfellawayandendedupfinishingthird,15pointsbehindwinnersChelsea.Itwasaseasonintransitionfortheteam,whounderGuardiolawerebeginningtoimplementadistinctfootballingphilosophy. Despitetheteam'sunder-performance,Silvaendedthecampaignwitheightgoalsand11assistsinallcompetitions,andhebeatoffcompetitionfromSergioAgueroandKevinDeBruynetobenamedManchesterCity'sPlayeroftheSeason.[109]Itwashissecondtimebeingrecognisedassuch,followinghiswinningoftheawardin2011-12,withtheSpaniardfastbecomingoneofPepGuardiola'sfavouritesintheCityside. 2017–18:ThirdPremierLeagueandLeagueCupwin[edit] Silvastartedthe2017–18seasonwithyetanotherdisplayoffinesse,providingeightPremierLeagueassistsin14appearances,whichwasthehighesttotalforanyplayerinEurope'stopfiveleagues.[110]The2017–18seasonwasanespeciallydifficulttimefortheSpaniard,withhisnewbornsonhavingbeenbornextremelyprematurely.ThisledtohimhavingtojetbackandforthbetweenEnglandandSpaintovisithissonandpartnerinahospitalinMadrid.[111]Despitethis,Silvacontinuedtoproduceexcellentperformances,andon30November2017,hesignedaone-yearcontractextensionwithManchesterCitykeepinghimattheclubuntil2020.[112]On10December,SilvascoredthewinnerinacloselyfoughtManchesterDerbyatOldTrafford,stabbingtheballpastDaviddeGeafromcloserange.[113] SilvawasforcedtomissacrucialgameagainstTottenhamHotspurattheEtihadStadiuminDecember,ashewaswithhissoninSpain.[114]Inhisabsence,Citydeliveredasumptuousperformance,smashingTottenham4–1followinganurgingfrommanagerPepGuardiolatosecurethewinforSilvaandhispartnerYessica.[115]MidfielderKevinDeBruyneheldhisfingersuptoshowthenumber21,Silva'sshirtnumber,afterscoringCity'ssecond,inatouchingtributetotheSpaniard.[116]ManchesterCityendedupwinningthePremierLeaguewitharecord100pointtally,leadingtotheteambeingnicknamedTheCenturions.[117]The19pointgaptosecond-placedManchesterUnitedwasalsoarecordwinningmargin,whichstandstothisday. Silvaalsoscoredinthe2018EFLCupFinalagainstArsenal.[118]Forhiscontributions,SilvawasnominatedforthePFAPlayeroftheYearandnamedinthePFATeamoftheYearforthesecondtimeasCitywonthePremierLeague.[119]ItwasthethirdPremierLeaguetitleofSilva'scareerandhissecondtimebeingnamedinthePFATeamoftheYear,andhefinishedtheseasonwith10goalsand14assistsacrossallcompetitions.[120] 2018–19:Fourtitlesinoneseason[edit] On15September2018,ina3–0homewinoverFulham,Silvascoredhis50thPremierLeaguegoalinhis253rdappearanceinthecompetition,alsomakinghis350thappearanceforManchesterCityinthesamematch.[121][122][123][124]CityandLiverpoolwentheadtoheadinanabsorbingtitlerace,whichendedupwithCitypippingtheRedstothetitlebyasinglepoint.[125] ItwasaremarkableseasonfortheBlues,astheywentontowintheCommunityShield,LeagueCupandFACuptoo,withSilvascoringinthefinalofthelattertournament.[126]Indoingthis,theybecamethefirstclubinEnglishfootballhistorytowinallfourdomestichonoursinasingleseason.[127]Silvaplayedin33ofCity's38leaguegames,registering10goalsand14assistsinallcompetitionsashepickeduphissecondFACup,fourthLeagueCupandfourthPremierLeaguetitle. 2019–20:FifthLeagueCupwin,departure,statue[edit] FollowingthedepartureofVincentKompanyin2019,Silvainheritedtheclubcaptaincy.[128]On26June2019,SilvaannouncedthathewouldleaveManchesterCityattheendofthe2019–20season.[11]ThecampaignbeganwithCityfacingLiverpoolintheCommunityShieldatWembley-Citywononpenaltiesfollowinga1-1draw,[129]withSilvaproducingabrilliantpasstoassistRaheemSterlingforCity'sgoal.On8July,heprovidedtwoassists,thesecondofwhichwashis10thoftheseason,andscoredafreekickasCitybeatNewcastleUnited5–0.Withthefreekickgoal,hereached150PremierLeaguegoalsandassists,whichonlyafewmidfieldershaddonebefore.[130][131] On1March2020,CitytookonAstonVillaintheLeagueCupfinal,[132]theirthirdsuchfinalinasmanyyearsandfifthinsevenseasons.TheBlueswon2-1,withgoalsfromSergioAgueroandRodri,andliftedthetrophyforthethirdtimeinarow.ItwasSilva'sonlytrophyascaptainofManchesterCity,andhisfifthLeagueCuptitleoverall,makinghimthemostdecoratedplayerinthecompetition's60-yearhistory. On26July2020,SilvaplayedhisfinalPremierLeaguegameforManchesterCity,a5–0winoverNorwichCity.Hewassubstitutedlateoninthematch,toapplausefromallpresent.[133]Justunderamonthlater,heplayedhislastgameinaCityshirt,inadisappointing3–1defeattoOlympiqueLyonintheChampionsLeaguequarter-finals,comingonasalatesubstitute.[134]Attheageof34,Silvaendedthecampaignwitharespectablereturnofsixgoalsand11assistsinallcompetitions,enoughtoearnhimselfathirdappearanceinthePFATeamoftheYeardespiteCity'sunderwhelmingseason.[135] On17August2020,ManchesterCitychairmanKhaldoonAlMubarakannouncedplansforastatueofSilva,alongwithteammatesSergioAgueroandVincentKompany,tobeinstalledattheEtihadStadiumtocommemoratehis10-year"transformational"contributionatCity.[136] ThestatuesofSilvaandKompanywereunveiledon28August2021.[137] RealSociedad[edit] On17August2020,SpanishclubRealSociedadannouncedthesigningofSilvaonafreetransfer,[138]despitereportsofamovetoItaliansideLazio.[139] Silvamadehisdebutfortheclubina0–0homedrawagainstRealMadrid,comingonasasubstituteinthesecondhalf.[140]On25October2020,SilvaprovidedtwoassistsasLaRealbeatHuesca4-1inLaLiga.Aweeklater,hescoredhisfirstgoalfortheclub,ina4–1awaywinagainstCeltaVigo.[141]FollowinghisexcellentperformancesforSociedad,SilvawasnamedinWhoScored'sLaLigaTeamoftheMonthforNovember,[142]aswellasbeingnamedRealSociedadPlayeroftheMonth.[143] On21February2021,SilvaonceagainprovidedtwoassistsasRealSociedaddefeatedAlaves4-0intheleague.[144]ThispropelledLaRealto5thinthetable,whileSilvabecametheonlyplayertoprovidetwoassistsintwodifferentLaLigagamesthatseason.[145] On3April2021,Silvastartedinandplayed85minutesofthe2020CopaDelReyFinalagainstlocalrivalsAthleticClubBilbao.Thematchwassettledbya63rdminutepenaltyfromLaRealcaptainMikelOyarzabal,afterCristianPortuhadbeenbroughtdowninthebox.[146]SilvawassubstitutedlateinthegametoastandingovationfromtheSociedadbench,andalongwithhisteammateswentontolifttheCopaDelRey,RealSociedad'sfirstmajortrophysince1987.[147]Itwasthe19thmajorhonourofDavidSilva'scareer,andhissecondCopaDelReytitle.Priortothisfinalwhichwaspostponed,himalongwithfellowtransferredteammateCarlosFernándezneverplayedduringthepreviousroundsofthistournamentwhichtookplaceduringthe2019–20season. Internationalcareer[edit] SilvarepresentingSpainatthe2018FIFAWorldCupinRussia. SilvabeingpressuredbyItaliandefenderLeonardoBonucciintheUEFAEuro2012Final. SilvafirstrepresentedSpaininthe2003FIFAU-17WorldChampionshipinFinland,scoringthreegoals.In2006,hebecameanunder-21internationalandscoredfourgoalsduringthe2005FIFAWorldYouthChampionship;thiswasenoughtoearnhimjoint-fourthplaceinthegoalranking,alongsideItalianstrikerGrazianoPellè. Silvamadehisseniorinternationaldebutinthe1–0friendlyhomedefeattoRomaniaon15November2006,andcontinuedtoreceivecall-upstothesideaftergoodcontributionsinhisfirstgames.On22August2007,hescoredhisfirsttwogoalsforSpain,nettingtwiceina3–2friendlywinversusGreece,andwasthencalleduptothesquadof23forUEFAEuro2008. UEFAEuro2008[edit] SilvastartedfiveofSpain'ssixmatchesatEuro2008.InSpain'ssecondgroupstagematchagainstSwedeninInnsbruck,heassistedFernandoTorreswithapinpointcrossfromtheedgeofthebox,[148]withtheLiverpoolforwardscoringtheopenerinaneventual2–1win. Inthesemi-finalsgameversusRussia,SilvascoredthethirdgoalforSpainafteraquickcounter-attackinwhichCescFàbregasdeliveredalowcross,andhesenttheballintoIgorAkinfeev'sgoalwithhisleftfoot.[149]Inthefinal,hewasinvolvedinanincidentwithGermany'sLukasPodolski.AfterhepulledPodolskitotheground,theGermanapproachedSilva,whichresultedinanangryexchangeofwordsandacomingtogetherofheadsthattherefereedecidednottopunish.Shortlyafterward,SpanishcoachLuisAragonéssubstitutedSilvaforSantiCazorlainanattempttocalmthetensions.[150] 2010FIFAWorldCup[edit] Afterappearingregularlyduring2010FIFAWorldCupqualification–Spainwonalltenfixtures–SilvawasalsopickedforthesquadforthefinalsinSouthAfrica.Hisparticipationwas,however,asmallone.HestartedtheopeninggroupgameforLaFuriaRoja,againstSwitzerlandinDurban,butdespitesomebrightsparks,theEuropeanchampionssuccumbedtoa1–0defeat.[151] SilvanextappearedforSpaininthesemi-finalagainstGermany,replacingPedroforthefinalnineminutes.[152]Spainwon1–0,courtesyofaheaderfromCarlesPuyol,andwentontowinthetournament,beatingtheNetherlandsinthefinal. UEFAEuro2012Qualifying[edit] On11August2010,duringaninternationalfriendlywithMexico,Silvascoredtwominutesintosecond-halfinjurytime,endingthegamewitha1–1draw.[153]InaEuro2012qualifieragainstLiechtensteinon3September2010,Silvascoredafter62minutes,ina4–0awaywin.[154]Thefollowingmonth,inthesamecompetition,hescoredthrougharareheader,asthenationalteamdownedLithuaniainSalamanca(3–1).Silva(left)ontheballforSpainintheUEFAEuro2012FinalInafriendlyagainstColombiaon9February2011,hecameoffthebenchtoscorethegame'sonlygoalwithjustfourminutesremaining,helpingSpaintoahard-fought1–0win.[155]HescoredtwiceandprovidedoneassistinSpain's3–1victoryagainstScotlandintheirfinalmatchoftheEuro2012qualifiers.ThewinsawtheSpaniardsenterthetournamentwithaperfectqualifyingrecordbywinningalltheirgroupgames.[citationneeded]HescoredthefirstgoalinSpain's2–2comebackagainstCostaRica,afriendlymatchwherehecameonasasubstituteinthesecondhalfwithSpaintrailing2–0.[156]HeonceagainscoredinafriendlyagainstVenezuelatomakethescore2–0inamatchthatendedina5–0win.HeadingintoEuro2012,hescoredintheirpre-tournamentfriendlyagainstChinabyfinishingoffashortgiveandgofromAndrésIniestainthe84thminute. UEFAEuro2012[edit] SilvawasastarterinallsixmatchesofSpain'sEuro2012campaign.IntheiropeningmatchofthetournamentagainstItaly,hedeliveredasuperbflickedthroughballtoCescFabregas,[157]whoscoredtolevelthegameupat1–1. InSpain'ssecondGroupCmatchagainsttheRepublicofIreland,Silvaproducedoneoftheperformancesofthetournament,scoringoneandprovidingtwoassistsina4–0win.[158]Hisgoalwasmesmeric,asheleftSeanSt.LedgeronthefloorandbeatStephenWardbeforecoollyslottingitpastformerManchesterCityteammateShayGiven.[159] Inthe14thminuteoftheUEFAEuro2012Final,heheadedhomeaCescFàbregascross,givingSpaina1–0lead.[160] Thematchended4–0andconcludedthetournamentinwhichSilvascoredtwogoalsandmadethreeassists,thebestefficiency(goalsandassists)ofanyplayerattheEuros.[161]HewassubsequentlynamedinUEFA'sEuro2012TeamoftheTournamentforhisperformances.[162]HealsofinishedasthejointhighestassistproviderattheEuros,withthree.[163] 2013FIFAConfederationsCup[edit] SilvawasnamedinVicentedelBosque's23-mansquadlistforSpain'scontestationofthe2013FIFAConfederationsCup,heldinBrazil.On20June2013,hescoredtwogoalsandassistedoneforDavidVillainSpain's10–0groupstagedemolitionofTahitiattheMaracanã.[164]Spainwouldgoontoreachthe2013FIFAConfederationsCupFinal,wheretheyweresoundlybeaten3–0byhostsBrazil.[165] 2014FIFAWorldCup[edit] SilvawaspartofSpain's23-mansquadwhichtraveledtoBrazilforthe2014WorldCup.WithLaRojalookingtodefendthetitletheycapturedfouryearsagoinSouthAfrica,SilvastartedtheopeningmatchagainsttheNetherlandsinBahia.However,theywereunabletorepeattheirsuccessovertheOranjefrom2010,andsuccumbedtoa5-1loss,despitetakinganearlylead.[166] Silvastartedthesecondgroupstagegame,againstChile,playingthefull90minutes.However,itwasanotherbadoutingfortheside,whoweresoundlybeaten2-0andeliminatedfromthetournament.[167] Despitetheteam'sunder-performance,SilvawasoneofthebrightersparksforLaRoja,creatingsevenchancesforhisteam,themostofanySpanishplayerattheWorldCup.[168] UEFAEuro2016[edit] Euro2016wasoneofSilva'sbestoutingsfortheNationalTeamatamajortournament.Startinginallfourmatches,SilvabeganthetournamentwithashowstoppingdisplayagainsttheCzechRepublic,inwhichhecreatedsixchancesforhisteam-themostofanySpainplayerinasinglematchatthetournament.[169]Thegameendedina1-0victoryforthereigningEuropeanchampions.[170] Inthesecondgroupgame,aclashwithTurkeyinNice,SilvawasakeycogasSpainproducedoneoftheirbestperformancesofthetournament,dispatchingtheTurks3-0.[171]Silvawasmesmericthroughout,andreceivedastandingovationfromSpainandTurkeyfansalikewhenhewassubstitutedlateinthegame. Silvaplayedthefull90minutesinLaRoja'sthirdgroupstagegameagainstCroatia.Itwasanexceptionaldisplay,withthemidfielderplayingasublimethroughballtoteammateCescFabregas,whosquaredforAlvaroMoratatoscoretheopener.Helaterwonapenalty,whichwasmissedbySergioRamos,asSpainfelltoa2-1defeat.[172]Despitethis,Silvacreatedfivechancesinthegame,thesecondmostofanySpainplayerinaEuro2016match,afterhimself.[173]Spainwereeventuallyeliminatedintheroundof16byItaly,whobeatthem2-0.[174] Silvaendedthetournamentaveraging3.3chancescreatedper90,thethirdhighestatthetournament.[175] Lateryearsandretirement[edit] SilvacontinuedhisgoalscoringrecordundernewbossJulenLopetegui,scoring9timesin12matches.[citationneeded]InMay2018,SilvawasnamedtoSpain'ssquadforthe2018FIFAWorldCupinRussia.[176]HestartedalltheirmatchesintheirWorldCupcampaign,whicheventuallyendedwitha3–4penaltyshootoutdefeattohostsRussiaintheRoundof16. Afterthe2018WorldCup,Silvaannouncedhisretirementfrominternationalfootball.[177]Heendedhisinternationalcareerwith125capsforSpain,havingscored35goals.Followinghisretirement,Silvadrewplauditsfrommanyofhisformerteammates,beingdescribedas"oneofthebestever"[178]and"oneofthemosttalentedplayersSpainhaseverproduced,withoutashadowofadoubt"[178]bymidfieldpartnersAndresIniestaandXaviHernandez.VicentedelBosque,wholedSpaintothe2010WorldCupandEuro2012titles,evenwentasfarastodeclareSilva"Spain'sLionelMessi".[179] Styleofplay[edit] "Hepullsthestringsonthepitch.Abrilliantfootballerwithgreatmovement,hecanscore,assist,aplayerwhodecidesagame.He’sgotsomuchtohisgame,thatIwouldconsiderhimoneofthebestever." AndrésIniesta[180] "He’saspectacularfootballer.Hehasbeenthroughouthiscareer.ForthenationalteamhehasbeenacornerstoneofthatgenerationofhighlytalentedSpanishfootballers.Davidwasavitalcomponentandabsolutelyessentialtothatteam-oneofthemosttalentedplayersSpainhaseverproduced,withoutashadowofadoubt."[180] Xavi Atalentedandagileleft-footedplayer,[3][181]Silvaisknownforhavinganexcellentfirsttouch,gooddribblingskills,andoutstandingtechnicalability,which,alongwithhisintelligentattackingmovements,allowhimtoretainpossessionintightspaces,andtocreatespaceforhimselfandteammatestoopenupadefence.[182][183][184]Hiscomposureontheball,aswellashisvision,passingaccuracy,abilitytoreadthegame,pickapass,andcontrolthetempoofhisteam'splayhaveseenhimbecomeoneofthebestplayersintheworldinhisposition,aswellasoneofthebestmidfieldersinPremierLeaguehistory,andearnedhimthenicknamesMerlinandElMago.[3][4][5]