Manchester City midfielder has offered one of his clearest insights yet into how he imagines the next chapter of his life, speaking openly about retirement, family, and a possible future in coaching.
Bernardo Silva‘s retirement plans was discussed as the 3-year-old talent is in the final year of his contract. During an evolving thoughts in an interview with DAZN, with the comments later highlighted by Portuguese outlet A Bola.
Having spent nearly his entire life immersed in football, from youth academy routines to the relentless schedule of top-level competition, Bernardo revealed that he is still unsure how he will feel once the day comes to finally step away from the game.
He admitted that despite his love for the sport, the demands that come with it can be overwhelming. As he put it, “I don’t know if, when I finish my career, I will miss football or not. I think I will. Football brings a load of travel and energy that is difficult.”
His reflections paint the picture of a player who is beginning to think more seriously about a life structured around something other than training sessions, matches, and long stretches away from home.
The midfielder explained that after more than two decades devoted to football, including almost ten years at Manchester City, he has started to prioritise what he has missed out on along the way.
He said, “With 20 years, or more with the youth years I gave to football, I will want to spend time with my family. I will want to travel with my wife. I will want to give time to my children.”
These comments highlight a growing awareness of the sacrifices required at the top level, particularly in a team like City where the fixture list extends across multiple competitions every year.
Bernardo has been a crucial figure in Pep Guardiola’s squad, admired for his versatility, technical intelligence and stamina, but even players famous for their relentless work ethic eventually begin to contemplate a different rhythm of life.
Despite that desire for rest and personal time, the Bernardo Silva’s retirement plans does not completely rule out a return to football in some capacity.
While he acknowledged the importance of reclaiming time for himself and his family, he also suggested that stepping back into the game in a new role could one day appeal to him.
As he explained, “I don’t know if I will want to give that time back to football after I finish my career. But without a doubt, if I return it will be as a coach, and I think I will have the ability to do it.”
The prospect of Bernardo moving into coaching will intrigue many who have admired his tactical intelligence and understanding of the Guardiola system.
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Over the years, he has often been highlighted as one of the squad’s most cerebral footballers, someone capable of interpreting multiple roles on the pitch with ease—traits that usually translate well into coaching.
For now, though, Bernardo remains focused on the present season, his ninth campaign at Manchester City.
Since signing in 2017, he has been part of one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, contributing to multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and the club’s long-awaited Champions League triumph.
His blend of creativity, pressing intensity and adaptability has made him an indispensable member of the squad and a fan favourite.
Yet his contract situation continues to be widely discussed, especially in Portugal. Every year brings a fresh wave of speculation linking him with a return to Benfica, the club where he developed as a young player.
Supporters in Lisbon have long dreamed of welcoming him home, and the player himself has never hidden his affection for the club. However, the latest remarks shift attention away from contract rumours and towards Bernardo Silva’s retirement plans in the near future.