In December it was announced he was unavailable for selection and had returned to Spain for 'personal reasons' A little over a week later and it was announced that little Matteo was fighting for his life.
Now, aged 32, the Spanish International is getting to that stage in his career when he needs to make difficult decisions. Prolonging club careers can come at the expense of International duties. Many players have made that decision before with varying results and it is one Silva too has now made.
For Manchester City fans and Pep Guardiola, it will be one which is welcomed. Merlin, as he is known, is yet to start for his ninth season with the Blues.
Signing for Manchester City on June 30th 2010 from Valencia, the World Cup and Euro Winner put his name to a four year deal. Scoring his first goal for Manchester City in a Europa League Group match. A month later he scored his first League goal for City, against Blackpool.
After his first season in the Premier League teammate Carlos Tevez stated Silva was the best signing City had ever made. City fans will remember the contribution he made in the 6-1 defeat of Manchester United at Old Trafford. A ball played between two defenders to Edin Dzeko to add the sixth particularly pleasing.
Internationally he has won that single World Cup while adding another European Championship trophy while at City. Spain were eliminated by hosts Russia in the last 16 to end Silva's last attempt at a World Cup so, with the player to be 36 for Qatar in 2022, it was only a matter of time before he retired.
With him taking that decision now it means he gives himself a great chance of adding to the silverware he's collected since being in England. Three Premier League titles, Two League Cups and an FA Cup all involved Silva. Personally he has won nine player of the month awards for the club and a player of the year award.
Selfishly I hope this decision will allow us Blues to see even more trophies raised by the Spaniard, maybe even a certain Champions League one.
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