Bernardo Silva reveals when he decided he would be leaving Man City

He has won six Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, three FA Cups, five League Cups and three Community Shields during an illustrious career in Manchester. In 2019, he was named City's Player of the Year and after nine years he is set for a new chapter. Bernardo announced his departure in April but in a new interview, he admitted the call was a long time coming.

He added: "When I arrived, I never imagined I'd stay for nine years, that's a long time at a club. The decision to leave was a natural one. It's my last chance to take on another challenge in my life, to do something different.

"Since I left, my family has been pulling me back. They know that nine years is a long time and, after everything I've achieved here, it made sense to do something different."

Despite Bernardo's mind being made up, City were determined to keep hold of their captain.

"They tried," Bernardo revealed. "They kept trying, but they realised my stance wasn't going to change. In the end, they stopped pushing the issue. They gradually realised.

"And then they started joking that I was leaving but never actually would. They didn't quite believe it.

"Ruben [Dias] and Matheus [Nunes] knew my decision wouldn't change. I didn't make a formal announcement, but I always said I'd see out my contract and then leave."

Bernardo also explained that Pep Guardiola had known his decision for some time. When he was named captain this season, Bernardo had initially rejected the opportunity.

"When he asked me to be captain this season I told him that maybe it didn't make much sense as it was my last year, I wasn't going to stay; that he should choose another player that would remain at the club," he said. "He ended up making his decision, anyway."