JAKARTA - Pep Guardiola has chosen Bernardo Silva as the new captain of Manchester City. In fact, according to the Portuguese midfielder, the 2025/2026 season could be his final season at Etihad.
Guardiola usually let players and staff choose who will be captain, but he decided to appoint Silva -- and deputy captain Ruben Dias, Rodri, and Erling Haaland -- individually for the first time.
This could be Silva's final season at the Etihad Stadium after he hinted he would not renew his contract, which expires in 2026.
The 30-year-old, who came from Monaco in 2017, has been linked with his return to his boyhood club, Benfica.
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"I know what I'm going to do, but now is not the time to talk about it. I'm very focused on my season."
"I am very focused on performing well for Manchester City. When the time comes, I will talk about it."
"I have a one-year contract. So, obviously I can go next season. I have choices in the past and this year. Like last year, and this year my choice is to stay at Manchester City," Silva said.
Silva has stepped forward to captain after he was appointed part of Manchester City's leadership group last season.
Kyle Walker was appointed captain of the club a year ago. However, Guardiola has revealed that he took an unusual step by choosing a captain this summer after seeing things he didn't like over the past disappointing season.
Walker left to join AC Milan on loan in January 2025 even though the Italian club decided not to make his move permanent.
However, the future of the England full-back is not yet clear. In fact, he has been expelled from the Manchester City squad for the 2025 Club World Cup.
"I'm the manager of this season, for the first time in my career, I decide who will be my captain."
"I don't like what happened last season. I decided this season. Sometimes I want to be a boss and this season I decided to do it."
"So, I chose four captains and at the end of the 2025 Club World Cup, maybe we will choose one or two," said Guardiola.
Meanwhile, Haaland has been appointed deputy captain of The Citizens for the first time.
The attacker signed a 10-year contract in January 2025 and Guardiola said the Norwegian could one day take over the captain's armband.
"Erling Haaland is still very young, but he has to start learning what it means to be a captain."
"The problem is, he will be here hopefully for years. Sooner or later, he will take that position as the first," said the Spaniard.
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