Man City legend retires from football after ACL injury

Manchester City legend David Silva has announced his retirement from professional football on what he has called a 'sad day'.

Silva made 436 appearances over 10 years during a glittering City career that coincided with the club’s rise from relatively obscurity into a European super power. Since leaving the Etihad Stadium in 2020, the Spaniard had been playing back his homeland with Real Sociedad.

The veteran midfielder has been a key part of an improving side at La Real, finishing fourth in La Liga in 2022/23 and returning to the Champions League group stage for the first time in a decade.

But Silva suffered an ACL injury in pre-season training earlier this month and, at the age of 37, appears to have accelerated his retirement rather than continue playing after rehab.

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Muchas gracias…fútbol pic.twitter.com/HoB6TPojAd

«It is time to say goodbye to what I have dedicated my whole life to,» he said in a social media video.

A product of Valencia’s youth system, Silva initially made his name during loans at Eibar and Celta Vigo, before becoming an important first-team player back with Los Che and establishing himself as one of the best emerging creative midfielders in Europe.

At 22, he was a Euro 2008 winner with Spain and added a World Cup title in 2010 aged 24. Prior to the latter tournament, Manchester City had agreed a transfer with Valencia and he helped the club end a 34-year trophy drought with an FA Cup in his first season.

A year later, a 44-year wait for a league title also ended in the most dramatic of circumstances, with further Premier League trophies in 2014, 2018 and 2019, plus another FA Cup and five League Cups.