The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

Former Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder David Silva has announced his retirement from football aged 37.

The legendary Spaniard who was affectionately known as Merlin, due to his magical footballing ability, had to put an end to his career due to a knee injury.

A former Manchester City captain, who won everything domestically with the club and played under compatriot Pep Guardiola, Silva achieved iconic status and legendary status with The Cityzens.

The word legend is one that’s casually used, but the Arguinueguin-born midfielder was one of the best of his generation.

It’s a cliche to say this, but he was one player who knew how to play the game at his pace, he made football look beautiful and effortless, in teams that were full of effort (Spain and Manchester City).

Where many sides play heavy metal football, David Silva would waltz through the pitch and glide like an in-sync symphony. The man was poetry in motion.

His 20 years in the game are a testament to that fact. The former Valencia man was a great football player, undoubtedly, but he was versatile too.

Silva could play as an attacking midfielder, a winger as well as a second striker. Rejected by Real Madrid, as they deemed him too small, David Silva was a giant and colossus on the pitch.

Those who might have thought they were in for an easy ride against the former Man City man, were often left bedazzled as they were left in awe of the footballing magician’s wand waving.

David Josué Jiménez Silva you will forever be a legend of the game. The fact that Manchester City have a statue of the man outside their ground, to honour him says a lot in itself.

We wish you the best in your future endeavours. What a shame such a great career had to end in such unfortunate circumstances.