Manchester City’s narrow 1-0 win over Brentford yesterday may have added another three points to their Premier League campaign, but the victory was overshadowed by emotional scenes after the final whistle. Erling Haaland, who scored the only goal of the match and secured the decisive win for Pep Guardiola’s side, was visibly emotional during his post-match interview as he revealed his sadness over the imminent departure of one of the club’s most respected figures — Bernardo Silva.
Bernardo Silva, Manchester City’s creative heartbeat and current club captain, is reportedly edging closer to a move back to his boyhood club, Benfica. The Portuguese international has been heavily linked with a return to Lisbon, and Benfica’s manager has already hinted that Silva’s homecoming is “only a matter of time.” His contract with Manchester City runs until the summer of 2026, but growing speculation suggests that the midfielder’s time at the Etihad may be drawing to a close.
Following the win at the Gtech Community Stadium, Haaland — who struck in the 68th minute to give City a hard-fought victory — paid a heartfelt tribute to Silva. “I know I scored a beautiful goal, but you were the best player today,” Haaland told the media, struggling to hold back tears. “I can’t believe you’ve played your last game for us.” The Norwegian striker’s emotional reaction quickly spread across social media, with many fans sharing clips of the two players embracing on the pitch after the final whistle.
Reports emerging from Manchester suggest that Bernardo Silva has already informed his teammates of his decision to leave the club, with his departure expected to be finalized in the coming days. Despite Pep Guardiola’s repeated public statements expressing his wish to keep the midfielder, the allure of returning home to Benfica — where Silva began his professional career before moving to Monaco and later Manchester — appears too strong to resist.
Silva, who joined City in 2017, has been one of Guardiola’s most trusted players, known for his intelligence, creativity, and relentless work rate. Over the years, he has played a crucial role in the club’s domestic and European success, lifting multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and most notably, the UEFA Champions League. His leadership on and off the pitch has made him a fan favorite and a respected figure in the dressing room.
The emotional weight of Silva’s possible exit adds to the growing narrative of transition at Manchester City. In recent seasons, the club has seen several of its senior leaders depart — İlkay Gündoğan to Barcelona and Kevin De Bruyne rumored to be considering a move abroad. Silva’s potential exit would mark yet another significant chapter closing in the Guardiola era.
While Haaland’s match-winning goal ensured City maintained their momentum in the title race, the striker’s post-match demeanor made it clear that footballing success was far from his mind. “It hurts,” Haaland admitted quietly to reporters. “Bernardo is not just a teammate — he’s family to all of us. Watching him leave feels unreal.”
For many supporters, the prospect of Silva returning to Benfica brings mixed emotions — pride in seeing him go home, but deep sadness knowing what he represents to Manchester City’s golden generation. His technical brilliance, humility, and leadership have left an indelible mark on the club.
As the curtain potentially falls on Bernardo Silva’s Manchester City career, yesterday’s victory against Brentford may be remembered not just for Haaland’s goal, but as the night City fans said goodbye to one of their most beloved and influential players. Whether this truly was his last game in sky blue remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — his legacy at Manchester City will endure long afte
r his departure.
