Spain international and Manchester City and England star David Silva, 37, has unexpectedly retired from the game due to a knee injury.
“Today is a sad day,” Silva said on social media on Monday (Aug. 28), “I’m saying goodbye to soccer, a sport that has been a big part of my life. I’m saying goodbye to my teammates, who I considered family. I will miss everything very much.”
Silva, who began his professional career with Valencia’s B team in 2003-04, will hang up his boots after 20 seasons.
After coming through the Valencia youth ranks, Silva had loan spells at Eibar and Celta Vigo before returning to his native club, where he played until 2010.
Silva’s career blossomed when he moved to Man City in 2010, and he went on to have a storied career with the club. In his 10 seasons as a starter at City, 토토사이트 Silva won four English Premier League (EPL) titles, two FA Cups, and five League Cups.
Notably, the 2011-12 EPL title was City’s first in 44 years. Since then, City has become a dominant force in the EPL. Silva’s contribution to City’s glory days has earned him the club’s “legend” status.
After moving to Real Sociedad (Spain) in the summer of 2020, Silva remained influential, playing 20+ games for the third consecutive season.
Silva has also had a successful career with the Spanish national team. He was a member of the Spanish national team at the 2008 European Championship (Euro), the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and Euro 2012. Silva has made 125 appearances for the Spanish national team, scoring 35 goals.
Silva had planned to continue his career in a Real Sociedad uniform for the 2023-24 season, but suffered a devastating injury in the preseason when he tore his ACL in his left knee, ending his career.
