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Manchester City

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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Silva contracted to City until 2026</li><li>Linked with return to boyhood club Benfica</li><li>Admits it would be "life goal" to do so at some point</li></ul>

Man City star Bernardo Silva admits he could complete 'life goal' by returning to Benfica as soon as this summer

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The 29-year-old Portugal international sees his contract in Manchester expire in 2026, but that hasn't stopped rumours about a return to his boyhood club continuing to circulate - particularly in his home country. Asked by Portuguese outlet SIC (via <a href="https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/bernardo-nao-quer-criticar-schmidt-imagine-que-eu-volto-ao-benfica-para-o-ano-e-ele-e-o-meu-treinador" target="_blank">SAPO Desporto</a>) if a Benfica homecoming was on the cards, Silva refused to rule it out and even joked it may happen sooner than we think.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The City midfielder said in reply to a question posed by pundit - and renowned Benfica fan - Ricardo Araujo Pereira: "How far am I from returning? I think people are a bit tired of that question. It's been a long time. I'm sure I'll be back, I don't know when, it's hard to time it and say if it's in two years' time, in three years' time, if it's next year with [current Benfica boss] Roger Schmidt [laughs]. But I've said it several times and I think people get tired of hearing it: without a doubt it's a career and life goal to return to Benfica."

WHAT SILVA SAID

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“Tenho a certeza que vou voltar” <a href="https://t.co/wQnNe4zNhO">pic.twitter.com/wQnNe4zNhO</a>— Rui Costa do Azeite (@rcostadoazeite) <a href="https://twitter.com/rcostadoazeite/status/1769497201183478247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WATCH THE CLIP

Silva's comments reflect his love for Benfica, a club for whom he only made three senior appearances but where he started as a 12-year-old before working his way up the U15, U17 and U19 sides. Silva moved to Monaco in 2014 before being snapped up by City three years later, where he has since staked his claim as being <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/pep-guardiola-man-city-match-winner-bernardo-silva-newcastle-fa-cup-victory-portugal-star-stay-etihad/bltfaa4dd58aceada1e" target="_blank">one of the world's best in his position</a>. The Portuguese has had a huge hand in landing them countless trophies during the Pep Guardiola era, including the historic treble win last term.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The City man is taking a break from club action <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-sg/lists/man-city-player-ratings-vs-newcastle-bernardo-silva-erling-haaland/bltd91fe0a967d9e0f7" target="_blank">having recently secured his side's passage to the FA Cup semi-finals</a>, where they will play Chelsea to defend their crown. Silva was called up by Roberto Martinez for Portugal's upcoming friendlies against Sweden and Slovenia later this month.

WHAT NEXT FOR SILVA?

Man City star Bernardo Silva admits he could complete 'life goal' by returning to Benfica as soon as this summer | Goal.com

Bernardo Silva has teased a potential Manchester City exit by admitting it would be a &quot;career and life goal&quot; to return to Benfica in the near future.

Man City star Bernardo Silva admits he could complete &apos;life goal&apos; by returning to Benfica as soon as this summer