David Silva facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
David Silva

Silva in 2017
Personal information
Full name	David Josué Jiménez Silva
Date of birth	(1986-01-08) 8 January 1986 (age 39)
Place of birth	Arguineguín, Spain
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	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)
International career
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)
Medal record 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
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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

Silva played for Valencia for seven years, from 2004 to 2010. He won the Copa del Rey with them in 2008. In 2010, he joined Manchester City. He played over 400 games for the club. With Manchester City, he won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and five League Cups. He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year three times. He was the fastest player to reach 200 wins in the Premier League.

Silva left Manchester City in 2020 after ten years. He returned to La Liga with Real Sociedad. There, he won his second Copa del Rey in 2020. He retired from football in July 2023. This happened after he got a serious knee injury during training.

Silva played for the Spanish national team from 2006 until he retired from international football in 2018. He was a key part of the midfield with Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. Together, they helped Spain win three big 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 have played 100 or more games for his country. He scored 35 goals for Spain, making him the 5th highest goalscorer in their history. He also provided 29 assists, which is the second-highest for Spain.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

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

David started playing football at a young age for UD San Fernando. This team was near his home. He first played as a goalkeeper. But he soon changed to playing as a winger. He looked up to the famous footballer Michael Laudrup. When David was 14, Valencia CF offered him a spot in their youth team. He accepted and stayed with Valencia's youth setup until he was 17.

Club Career Highlights

Starting Out at Valencia

Silva grew up playing in Valencia's youth system. He made his first professional appearance in the 2004–05 season. He was on loan to Eibar in the Segunda División (second division). He played 35 games and scored five goals. The next season, 2005–06, he was loaned to Celta de Vigo. He played 34 matches and scored four goals. Celta de Vigo even made it to the UEFA Cup that season.

Silva playing for Valencia in August 2008

Silva returned to Valencia in 2006. Even though he was only 20, he quickly became a regular player. In his first two seasons back, he scored 14 goals. His first league goal for Valencia was in November 2006 against Espanyol. In 2008, he signed a new five-year contract. He won his first major title in Spain, the Copa del Rey, in 2008.

Silva missed the first three months of the 2008–09 season due to an ankle injury. But he came back strong in December. In January 2009, he scored two goals against Atlético Madrid. Valencia finished third in the 2009–10 season. This meant they qualified for the UEFA Champions League. Silva scored a career-high eight goals that season.

Joining Manchester City

On June 30, 2010, Manchester City announced they had agreed to sign Silva. He joined on a four-year deal for the 2010–11 season. On July 14, he officially joined and received the number 21 shirt. This was the same number he wore for Valencia and Spain. Silva said he was happy at Valencia. But 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 a trequartista (an attacking midfielder). Silva played his first Premier League game on August 14, 2010. It was a 0–0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. He scored his first goal for City in September in a Europa League match. In October, he scored his first league goal against Blackpool. He won three straight Manchester City Player of the Month awards.

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 2010–11 season with four goals and seven assists in 35 league games.

Winning the Premier League

Silva before a match against Liverpool in 2011

Silva started the 2011–12 season very well. He scored in City's 4–0 win over Swansea City. He was named man of the match. He also scored the next week against Bolton Wanderers. He set up two goals for Sergio Agüero against Wigan Athletic. Manager Roberto Mancini compared Silva to Spanish stars Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. He said Silva was "one of the best players in the world." In October, Silva won the Premier League Player of the Month award.

In the first Manchester Derby of the season, Manchester City won 6–1 against Manchester United. Silva was a key player. He scored one goal and set up another. He was praised for being "two steps ahead of all the United players." In May 2012, on the final day of the season, City needed a win to secure the title. Silva provided a cross for Edin Džeko to score the equalizing goal in the 91st minute. City won the game and their first top-flight title in 44 years. Silva also led the league in assists with 15. He was named in the PFA's PFA Team of the Year.

More Trophies with City

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. But he still played well. He scored City's first goal of the season against Newcastle United. He also scored against Arsenal and Norwich City. Silva helped City win the League Cup in 2014. He scored a goal and an assist against Liverpool. City won the Premier League title again that season. Silva ended the season with eight goals and 16 assists.

Silva playing in the 2014 FA Community Shield against Arsenal

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." Silva ended the season with 12 goals and 10 assists.

In the 2015–16 season, Silva continued to be a key player. He helped City reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time. He also won his second League Cup with the club. He missed many games due to an ankle injury that season.

Guardiola Era and Departure

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

The 2017–18 season was difficult for Silva personally. His newborn son, Mateo, was born very early and needed a lot of care. Despite this, Silva continued to play brilliantly. He signed a new contract in November 2017. He scored the winning goal in a Manchester Derby against Manchester United. City won the Premier League with a record 100 points. Silva was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year. He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year for the second time.

In the 2018–19 season, Silva scored his 50th Premier League goal. He also made his 350th appearance for Manchester City. City had an amazing season, winning all four domestic trophies. This included the Community Shield, League Cup, and FA Cup. Silva scored in the FA Cup final. He won his fourth Premier League title.

Silva became the club captain in 2019. He announced he would leave Manchester City at the end of the 2019–20 season. He helped City win the League Cup again, making it his fifth League Cup title. This made him the most decorated player in the competition's history. He played his final Premier League game for City in July 2020. His last game for the club was in the Champions League quarter-finals.

In August 2020, Manchester City announced plans for a statue of Silva. It would be placed at the Etihad Stadium to honor his ten years at the club. The statue was unveiled in August 2021.

Moving to Real Sociedad

On August 17, 2020, Silva signed with Spanish club Real Sociedad on a free transfer. He made his debut against Real Madrid. In October 2020, he provided two assists in a 4–1 win. A week later, he scored his first goal for the club. He was named Real Sociedad Player of the Month for November.

In April 2021, Silva played in the 2020 Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao. Real Sociedad won 1–0, securing their first major trophy since 1987. This was Silva's second Copa del Rey title.

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

International Career with Spain

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 senior international debut for Spain in November 2006. In August 2007, he scored his first two goals for Spain in a friendly against Greece. He was then chosen for the UEFA Euro 2008 squad.

Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010

Silva played in five of Spain's six matches at Euro 2008. In the semi-finals against Russia, Silva scored Spain's third goal. Spain went on to win the tournament.

Silva was also part of the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He played in the first match against Switzerland. Spain won their first World Cup title after beating the Netherlands 1–0 in the final.

Euro 2012 Success

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

Silva was a starter in all six matches of Spain's Euro 2012 campaign. In their opening match against Italy, he set up a goal for Cesc Fàbregas. In Spain's second group match against the Republic of Ireland, Silva played brilliantly. He scored one goal and provided two assists in a 4–0 win.

In the UEFA Euro 2012 Final, Silva scored the 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 International 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. Spain was eliminated early from the tournament. At UEFA Euro 2016, Silva played very well. 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 to Russia in a penalty shootout in the Round of 16.

After the 2018 World Cup, Silva announced his retirement from international football. He finished his international career with 125 games for Spain, scoring 35 goals. Many of his former teammates praised him. They called him "one of the best ever" and "one of the most talented players Spain has ever produced."

Playing Style

Silva was a very talented 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 and had amazing vision. His passing was very accurate. He could read the game well and control 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. Fans nicknamed him Merlin and El Mago (The Magician).

Silva was mainly a playmaker for his team. But he could also score goals himself. He played in many attacking roles. He was often an attacking midfielder, moving freely around the pitch. He also played as a winger, a false 9, a second striker, or a deeper central midfielder.

Personal Life

In December 2017, Silva missed some games to return to Spain for personal reasons. On January 3, 2018, he shared that his newborn son, Mateo, was born very early. Mateo was fighting to stay alive. By May 11, 2018, Mateo was healthy and able to go home. Silva is a devoted Catholic.

Career Statistics

Club

International

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

• FIFA U-17 World Championship Bronze Ball: 2003
• Pedro Zaballa Award: 2005
• Premier League Player of the Month: September 2011
• Most assists in the Premier League: 2011–12
• Most assists in the UEFA European Championship: 2012
• 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
• Premier League Player of the Year by Northwest Football Awards: 2017

Orders

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

See also

In Spanish: David Silva para niños

• List of footballers with 100 or more caps