When the unexpected announcement came on 26 May 2017 that Bernardo Mota Veiga de Carvalho e Silva would become Manchester City’s first signing of that summer, excitement rippled through the fanbase.

The Portuguese playmaker had already made quite an impression on City supporters earlier that year. Playing for Monaco in both legs of their Champions League Round of 16 clash in February and March, he helped the French side knock Pep Guardiola’s team out of the competition in his debut season at the Etihad and later reach the semi-finals.

In the first leg at Manchester in particular, Bernardo Silva dazzled — weaving past defenders with his dribbling, strolling effortlessly across the pitch, and even engaging in a controversial duel with John Stones, which both later admitted involved a dive from the diminutive midfielder.

City fans initially wondered if his small frame might need toughening up for the physical demands of the Premier League, but as they soon discovered, every great team needs a touch of flair to complement its hard workers.

Fast forward nine years, and the image of Bernardo Silva has completely transformed.

Now 31, he has tormented English defences season after season, embodying Pep Guardiola’s relentless philosophy with his tireless energy, tenacity, and unshakeable will to win. His mix of resilience and creativity has secured his place among Manchester City’s modern greats, earning adoration from teammates and fans alike after his final appearance this month — a farewell shared with close friend John Stones and his long-time mentor Pep Guardiola, who trusted him like few others in his managerial career.

As City supporters reflect on his journey, they recall those 13.7 kilometres he ran against Liverpool, the countless summers he sacrificed personal ambitions for the club, and the 20 trophies he lifted during nine unforgettable years.

Back in 2017, City were under pressure following an underwhelming first season under Guardiola, a disappointment partly inflicted by Bernardo and his Monaco teammates’ European heroics.

That summer, Bernardo was joined by fellow Ligue 1 champion Benjamin Mendy, as part of a bold recruitment drive that also brought in Ederson, Kyle Walker, and Danilo — a clear statement that City were intent on returning to their trophy-winning ways.

And return they did. City stormed to the Premier League title and Carabao Cup, smashing records and surpassing 100 points for the first time in league history. Bernardo Silva made 53 appearances — more than any other City player — though nearly half came off the bench, given the fierce competition in attack with David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, and Leroy Sane.

Often brought on to steady games with his technical mastery, one of his season highlights came in the December 2017 Manchester derby. Protecting a 2-1 lead, he and his teammates delighted in frustrating their rivals by keeping possession in the corner, running down the clock to secure a memorable win that extended their dominant lead at the top.

Bernardo’s breakthrough came in the 2018/19 season when Kevin De Bruyne’s knee injury opened a space in midfield. Guardiola shifted him from the right wing into a central role, and Silva flourished — dictating tempo, pressing with intensity, and showing a work ethic that belied his size.

His defining performance came in January 2019 against Liverpool. With the Champions trailing by seven points, Bernardo ran a league-record 13.7 kilometres, recovered more balls than any other player, and assisted Sergio Aguero’s opener in a 2-1 victory that reignited City’s title bid.

He later returned to the right flank for the title run-in, scoring vital goals and assists — including the opener in a crucial derby at Old Trafford and two assists in the 6-0 FA Cup final win over Watford, helping City secure the domestic treble. His efforts earned him the club’s Player of the Year award.

Bernardo’s rivalry with Liverpool became a defining feature of his City career. Never one to shy away from the rivalry, he mocked ‘pathetic’ Liverpool fans after their 2020 title win, refused to join the guard of honour for them, and scored in his final visit to Anfield to inspire City’s comeback victory — his first-ever win at the stadium.

Although he struggled during Liverpool’s behind-closed-doors success, he bounced back to help City reclaim the Premier League in 2020/21 and reach their first Champions League final, where they fell to Chelsea in Porto.

Following that defeat, rumours circulated about his desire to leave, but once again, he was persuaded to stay. Greeted with a hero’s welcome in the first home game of 2021/22, Bernardo responded with one of his best seasons yet, helping City edge Liverpool by a single point and earning another spot in the PFA Team of the Year.

His bond with Guardiola was a major reason he stayed. The manager once promised that as long as he remained at City, Bernardo would too — a vow he kept. Teammates joked about their ‘teacher and favourite student’ relationship, and Guardiola affectionately nicknamed him ‘Bernardiki’ after one of his impressive training sessions.

Despite City’s struggles in Europe, including heartbreak against Real Madrid in 2022, Bernardo finally conquered the Champions League in 2023. His key goals — a header against Bayern Munich and a decisive brace versus Madrid in the semi-final — cemented his legacy. Those strikes sent City to Istanbul, where Rodri’s winner against Inter Milan delivered the long-awaited European crown and completed the treble.

Bernardo’s versatility shone again that season. After Joao Cancelo’s departure in January, he even filled in at left-back, including in a crucial clash against Arsenal. Guardiola reportedly considered deploying him at centre-back but abandoned the idea as too extreme.

City’s third consecutive Premier League title that year was followed by a record fourth in 2024. Bernardo’s trophy haul now includes six league titles, five League Cups, and three FA Cups — achievements that placed him among the elite in club history.

Within the squad, he was affectionately known as the ‘little brother’, often teased but universally respected. Vincent Kompany once said Bernardo was ‘50% clown and 50% leader’, predicting he’d be captain once the balance shifted — a prophecy fulfilled when Guardiola personally appointed him skipper in 2025.

Though he narrowly missed out on another league title this season, Bernardo featured in every Premier League match, lifting both the League Cup and FA Cup in his farewell campaign. His final act at Wembley — raising the trophy alongside John Stones — was a fitting end to a glittering chapter.

Off the pitch, his life in Manchester flourished. Married to Ines in 2023, the couple have a two-year-old daughter and are expecting a son. Their family dogs, John and Charles, are named after his close friends and teammates.

After nine years, Manchester has become home for Bernardo. Despite past transfer links to Lisbon, his connection to the city and club runs deep. With 460 appearances — more than any other player under Guardiola and eighth-most in club history — and just eleven missed through injury, his consistency and commitment are unmatched.

Fans at the Etihad will forever remember his tireless runs down the wing, his passion, and the chorus singing his name. Rival supporters may debate his style — admiring his brilliance or disliking his intensity — but all agree he stands among the finest midfielders of his generation.

Bernardo Silva leaves Manchester City as a magician with the ball, a warrior without it, and a true legend of the club. Supporters everywhere now say: thank you, ‘Bernardiki’, and enjoy your time in the sun — but don’t forget to visit rainy Manchester soon.

Obrigado e adeus, lenda — thank you and farewell, legend.