Speaking in an exclusive interview with Portuguese publication A Bola, Manchester City midfield maestro Bernardo Silva has opened up on how Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side inspired him during a difficult time in his youth career.
Silva, a long-time Barcelona target, has been excelling at Manchester City since joining them from AS Monaco in 2017. The Portuguese international has been one of the most important parts of the all-conquering team Guardiola has built at the Etihad.
And, Silva has now opened up on how it had always been a dream for him to play under the legendary manager since his youth career, having been inspired by Barça’s ‘Golden Age’ team with the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi Hernandez.
“When I was younger and I saw that Barcelona team of the little ones, Xavi and Iniesta, Messi and all those players, coached by Pep, it was an inspiration to me,” Silva revealed.
Delving deeper into why he saw them as an inspiration, the Portuguese playmaker added: “Inspiration because it came at a time when I wasn’t playing for Benfica’s youth team because I wasn’t as physically strong as my teammates.
“I ended up not playing for several years at Benfica and there was a time when I was about to be sent away from training and loaned to Belenenses. At a difficult time for me, realising that size might not matter that much in football by watching that Barcelona team play was certainly an inspiration.”
Silva had been linked with Barcelona relentlessly over the past few years, but a move never materialised due to the club’s financial situation.
Having waited for the Blaugrana to make a move this past summer, the Portuguese ace ended up signing a new contract with Manchester City until 2026.
However, it has been suggested that there is a favourable release clause in his deal that Barça can trigger. But whether the La Liga champions wish to revisit their interest next year remains to be seen, given there are other, more important priorities.
