David Silva facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
David Silva

Silva in 2017
Personal information
Date of birth	(1986-01-08) 8 January 1986 (age 39)
Place of birth	Arguineguín, Spain
Height	1.70 m
Playing position	Midfielder
Youth career
1995–2000	San Fernando
2000–2003	Valencia
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2003–2004	Valencia B	14	(1)
2004–2010	Valencia	119	(21)
2004–2005	→ Eibar (loan)	35	(4)
2005–2006	→ Celta (loan)	34	(4)
2010–2020	Manchester City	309	(60)
2020–2023	Real Sociedad	74	(6)
Total		585	(96)
National team
2001–2002	Spain U16	6	(2)
2002–2003	Spain U17	20	(5)
2004–2005	Spain U19	14	(5)
2005	Spain U20	5	(4)
2004–2006	Spain U21	9	(7)
2006–2018	Spain	125	(35)
Honours Men's football Representing  Spain FIFA World Cup Winner 2010 UEFA European Championship Winner 2008 Winner 2012 FIFA Confederations Cup Third 2009 Runner-up 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup Runner-up 2003 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Runner-up 2003 UEFA U-19 European Championship Winner 2004
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

David Josué Jiménez Silva (born January 8, 1986) is a Spanish former footballer. He mostly played as a central or attacking midfielder. He could also play as a winger or second striker.

His amazing passing and ability to keep the ball earned him nicknames like Merlin and El Mago (The Magician). Many people think he is one of the best midfielders of his time. He is also considered one of the greatest players for Manchester City and in the Premier League.

Silva played for Valencia for seven years, from 2004 to 2010. He helped them win the Copa del Rey in 2008. In 2010, he moved to Manchester City. There, he played over 400 games. He won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and five League Cups. He was also chosen for the PFA Team of the Year three times. He is the youngest player to reach 200 wins in the Premier League.

After ten years, Silva left Manchester City in 2020. He went back to Spain to play for Real Sociedad. He won his second Copa del Rey there in 2020. Sadly, a serious knee injury during training in July 2023 made him retire from football.

Silva also played for the Spanish national team from 2006 to 2018. He was a key part of the midfield with Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. Together, they won three big international tournaments in a row: UEFA Euro 2008, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2012. Silva is one of only 13 Spanish players to play 100 or more games for his country. He scored 35 goals for Spain, making him their 5th highest goalscorer ever. He also made 29 assists, which is the second-highest for Spain.

David Silva's Early Life

David Silva was born in Arguineguín, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. His father, Fernando Jiménez, was a police officer. His mother, Eva Silva, is Japanese.

David started playing football for a youth team called UD San Fernando. He first played as a goalkeeper. But then he became a winger. He looked up to the famous footballer Michael Laudrup. When he was 14, Valencia CF offered him a spot in their youth team. He accepted and stayed there until he was 17.

David's Club Football Journey

Starting Out at Valencia

Silva grew up playing in Valencia's youth teams. He made his first professional appearance in the 2004–05 season. He played for Eibar while on loan from Valencia. He played 35 games and scored five goals. The next season, he was loaned to Celta de Vigo. He played 34 games and scored four goals. He helped Celta reach the UEFA Cup.

Silva playing for Valencia in August 2008

Silva returned to Valencia in 2006. He quickly became a regular player, even though he was only 20. He played many games and scored 14 goals over two seasons. In 2008, he signed a new five-year contract. He won his first major trophy in Spain, the Copa del Rey, in 2008.

In the 2009–10 season, Silva scored a career-high eight goals. Valencia finished third in the league. This meant they would play in the UEFA Champions League.

Becoming a Manchester City Legend

Joining Manchester City

On June 30, 2010, Manchester City announced they had signed Silva. He joined on a four-year deal. He was given the number 21 shirt, which he also wore for Valencia and Spain. Silva said he was happy at Valencia. However, the club had to sell him because they had a lot of debt.

Silva with Manchester City in April 2011

City's manager, Roberto Mancini, often played Silva as a winger. Later, he played him as an attacking midfielder. Silva played his first Premier League game on August 14, 2010. He scored his first goal for City in a Europa League match. He then scored his first league goal against Blackpool. He was named Manchester City Player of the Month three times in a row.

After his first season, Silva was seen as one of the best playmakers in the league. His teammate Carlos Tevez called him "the best signing we have made." Silva finished the season with four goals and seven assists.

Winning the Premier League in 2012

Silva started the 2011–12 season in great form. He scored in City's big 4–0 win against Swansea City. He also scored the next week against Bolton Wanderers. He then set up two goals for Sergio Agüero against Wigan Athletic. City manager Roberto Mancini compared him to Spanish stars Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. Mancini said Silva was "one of the best players in the world."

Silva before a league match against Liverpool in 2011

In October, Silva won the Premier League Player of the Month award. This was the first time two City players won it back-to-back. In the first Manchester Derby of the season, City won 6–1 against Manchester United. Silva was key to the attack, scoring a goal and setting up another. He even turned down offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid to stay at City.

On May 13, 2012, City needed a win on the last day to win the league. Silva delivered a corner kick that Edin Džeko headed in for a late equalizer. City went on to win the game and their first league title in 44 years. Silva also led the league with 15 assists. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year.

More Trophies and Success

In September 2012, Silva signed a new five-year contract with City. He continued to provide assists and score goals. He helped City reach the FA Cup final in 2013. However, they lost to Wigan Athletic in a big upset. City finished second in the Premier League that season.

The 2013–14 season was tough for Silva due to injuries. Still, he scored Manchester City's first goal of the season. He also scored and assisted in a big win against West Ham. Silva helped City win the League Cup in 2014. He scored in a 3–2 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. City won the Premier League again that season. Silva finished with eight goals and 16 assists.

Continued Excellence and Farewell

In August 2014, Silva signed another five-year contract. He scored City's first goal of the 2014–15 season. In February 2015, he scored two goals against Newcastle United. He reached ten league goals in a season for the first time in his career. His teammate Edin Džeko called him "the best player in the Premier League."

In the 2015–16 season, Silva continued to shine. He was nominated for Player of the Month awards. He helped City reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time. He also won his second League Cup with City in 2016.

When Pep Guardiola became City's manager, he praised Silva as a "special player." In the 2016–17 season, Silva was named Manchester City's Player of the Season. He scored eight goals and made 11 assists.

The 2017–18 season was difficult for Silva personally. His newborn son was born very early and was fighting for his life. Despite this, Silva kept playing wonderfully. He signed a new contract in November 2017. He scored the winning goal in a Manchester Derby. City won the Premier League with a record 100 points. Silva also scored in the 2018 EFL Cup Final. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year again.

In the 2018–19 season, Silva scored his 50th Premier League goal. City had an amazing season, winning four domestic trophies. They won the FA Community Shield, League Cup, FA Cup, and the Premier League. Silva scored in the FA Cup final.

Captain and Departure

After Vincent Kompany left in 2019, Silva became the club captain. He announced he would leave Manchester City at the end of the 2019–20 season. He helped City win the Community Shield. He also scored a free kick and made two assists against Newcastle. He reached 150 Premier League goals and assists.

On March 1, 2020, City won the League Cup final. This was Silva's only trophy as captain. It was his fifth League Cup title, making him the most decorated player in the competition's history.

Silva played his last Premier League game for City on July 26, 2020. He played his final game for City in the Champions League quarter-finals. After ten amazing years, a statue of Silva was planned for the Etihad Stadium. The statues of Silva and Kompany were revealed in August 2021.

Playing for Real Sociedad

On August 17, 2020, Silva signed with Spanish club Real Sociedad. He joined them for free. He made his debut as a substitute against Real Madrid. He later provided two assists in a 4–1 win against Huesca. He scored his first goal for the club against Celta Vigo.

In April 2021, Silva played in the 2020 Copa del Rey final. Real Sociedad won the match 1–0 against Athletic Bilbao. This was Real Sociedad's first major trophy since 1987. It was Silva's 16th major trophy and his second Copa del Rey.

On July 21, 2023, Silva suffered a serious knee injury. Just six days later, on July 27, he announced his retirement from football at age 37.

David's International Career

Silva being pressured by Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci in the UEFA Euro 2012 Final.

Silva first played for Spain in the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship. He scored three goals. In 2006, he played for the under-21 team. He scored four goals in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Silva made his debut for the senior team on November 15, 2006. He scored his first two goals for Spain in August 2007 against Greece. He was then picked for the UEFA Euro 2008 squad.

UEFA Euro 2008

Silva started five of Spain's six matches at Euro 2008. In the semi-finals against Russia, Silva scored Spain's third goal. In the final against Germany, he was involved in a small incident. Spain went on to win the tournament.

2010 FIFA World Cup

Silva played regularly during the World Cup qualification games. He was chosen for the squad for the finals in South Africa. He played in the first match against Switzerland. Spain went on to win their first World Cup title. They beat the Netherlands 1–0 in the final.

UEFA Euro 2012

Silva (left) on the ball for Spain in the UEFA Euro 2012 Final

Silva started all six matches of Spain's Euro 2012 journey. In their first match against Italy, he set up a goal for Cesc Fàbregas. In Spain's second group game, Silva played incredibly well. He scored one goal and assisted two others in a 4–0 win against the Republic of Ireland.

In the UEFA Euro 2012 Final, he scored Spain's first goal with a header. Spain won the match 4–0. Silva scored two goals and made three assists in the tournament. He was named in UEFA's Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament.

Later Years and Retirement

Silva was part of Spain's squad for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He scored two goals and assisted one in a 10–0 win against Tahiti. Spain reached the final but lost to Brazil.

He also played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Spain was trying to defend their title. However, they lost their first two games and were eliminated early.

UEFA Euro 2016 was one of Silva's best tournaments for Spain. He played in all four matches. He created many chances for his team. Spain was eliminated in the round of 16 by Italy.

Silva representing Spain at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Silva continued to score goals under new coach Julen Lopetegui. In May 2018, he was named in Spain's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He started all their matches. Spain lost in a penalty shootout to Russia in the Round of 16.

After the 2018 World Cup, Silva announced he was retiring from international football. He played 125 games for Spain and scored 35 goals. Many former teammates praised him. They called him "one of the best ever" and "one of the most talented players Spain has ever produced."

David Silva's Playing Style

David Silva was a very skilled left-footed player. He was known for his excellent first touch and great dribbling skills. His technical ability and smart movements helped him keep the ball in tight spaces. He could also create space for himself and his teammates to break through defenses.

Silva was calm with the ball. He had amazing vision and could pass the ball very accurately. He was great at reading the game and controlling his team's play. These skills made him one of the best players in his position. He is also considered one of the best midfielders in Premier League history. His teammates and fans called him Merlin and El Mago (The Magician).

Even though he mostly helped set up goals, Silva could score them too. He could play in different attacking roles. He often played as an attacking midfielder, moving freely around the pitch. He also played as a winger, a false 9, or a second striker.

Personal Life

In December 2017, Silva missed some games to go back to Spain. On January 3, 2018, he shared that his newborn son, Mateo, was born very early. Mateo was fighting to stay alive. On May 11, 2018, Mateo was healthy enough to go home.

Honours

Silva (centre) won three consecutive major trophies (Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012) with Spain

Valencia

• Copa del Rey: 2007–08

Manchester City

• Premier League: 2011–12, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19
• FA Cup: 2010–11, 2018–19
• Football League/EFL Cup: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20
• FA Community Shield: 2012, 2019

Real Sociedad

• Copa del Rey: 2019–20

Spain U19

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2004

Spain

• FIFA World Cup: 2010
• UEFA European Championship: 2008, 2012

Individual Awards

• FIFA U-17 World Championship Bronze Ball: 2003
• Premier League Player of the Month: September 2011
• Most assists in the Premier League: 2011–12
• Most assists in the UEFA European Championship: 2012 (shared with Mesut Özil, Steven Gerrard and Andrey Arshavin)
• Manchester City Player of the Season: 2016–17
• Manchester City Players' Player of the Season: 2011–12
• PFA Team of the Year: 2011–12 Premier League, 2017–18 Premier League, 2019–20 Premier League
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2012

Special Recognition

• Medalla de Oro de Canarias: 2010
• Prince of Asturias Award for Sports: 2010
• Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit: 2011

Images for kids

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  Silva playing in the 2014 FA Community Shield against Arsenal

See also

In Spanish: David Silva para niños

• List of footballers with 100 or more caps