Manchester City and Spain playmaker David Silva has decided to retire from international duty after a trophy-laden career with La Roja. The 32-year-old has played a part in Spain’s glory years, winning the European Championships twice in 2008 and 2012, while winning the biggest prize of all in the World Cup back in 2010.
Silva has enjoyed an amazing career in both club and international football. However, he is heading towards the final phase of his career. At City, he has plenty of competition for a place in the starting line-up, as the Citizens have a plethora of attacking midfield options.
He remains an important player for City, though, as last season he was one of the players who boss Pep Guardiola rarely rotated in the Citizens midfield. His intelligence and his football brain have kept him in arguably one of the greatest teams ever seen in the Premier League.
The physical burden of playing for his national team is a big one, though. Like many players before him, the midfielder will likely prolong his club career by giving up his international career.
It means less travelling and fewer games, which can be important for a player in his thirties. Even naturally fit footballer’s age in their thirties, so fewer games can only benefit the former Valencia man.
Silva missed Manchester City’s opening weekend 2-0 defeat of Arsenal, after taking part at the World Cup for Spain. International football will no longer get in the way of the midfielder playing a big part in what is an exciting period in City’s history.
David Silva will already go down as one of the Premier League’s most gifted technically players. In the coming years, he will only add to his bulging silverware collection, as the Spaniard looks to continue to be a joy to watch to millions of football fans around the world.