Bernardo Silva's Premier League Landmark
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has set a new Premier League record for Portuguese players, reaching 297 appearances in England's top flight. He achieved this milestone in the 32nd matchweek of the 2024/25 season, during City's 3:0 victory over Chelsea. This surpasses the previous record held by former forward Luis Boa Morte. The Premier League has become a major destination for Portuguese talent, with Silva's longevity highlighting their significant impact.
Now in his ninth season with Manchester City, Bernardo Silva has won six Premier League titles with the club. During the 2024/25 campaign, he has made 44 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals and providing five assists. It has been confirmed that the player will leave Manchester City in the summer of 2025 upon the expiry of his contract, becoming a free agent.
Career and Honors
A Lisbon native, Silva began his professional career at Benfica, making his debut in the Portuguese Segunda Liga during the 2013/14 season. After a handful of appearances for the first team, he transferred to AS Monaco for nearly €16 million. He spent three seasons there, winning the French Ligue 1 title in 2016/17, before signing for Manchester City in 2017 for a fee of €50 million.
During his time at Manchester City, Silva has won a host of major trophies: six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups, three Community Shields, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. On the international stage, he made his debut for Portugal in 2015 and has since won the UEFA Nations League twice with the national team.
Among Portuguese footballers with over 200 Premier League appearances, the list includes:
- Bernardo Silva (297 matches)
- Luis Boa Morte (296 matches)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (236 matches)
- Bruno Fernandes (223 matches)
Other notable Portuguese players with over 190 Premier League appearances are:
- Diogo Jota (190)
- Jose Fonte
- Ruben Neves
- Pedro Neto
- Joao Moutinho
- Ruben Dias
Bernardo Silva's success underscores the growing influence of Portuguese players in English football. His impending departure from Manchester City in 2025 will mark the end of a highly successful era and will be closely watched by clubs and fans alike as he decides his next move. His career path serves as a blueprint for the new generation of Portuguese talent aiming to make their mark on the global stage.
As Bernardo Silva approaches the end of his illustrious career at Manchester City, speculation is rife about his next move. Recent reports suggest that Juventus is keen to secure his services, potentially adding another chapter to his remarkable journey in European football.