The 31-year-old Portugal international arrived from AS Monaco in 2017 and swiftly became a fan favourite.
Nine years on, he remains the engine of the City side, setting the tempo with relentless work rate and technical precision.
Despite never being allowed to dominate the spotlight under Pep Guardiola, Silva has embraced a philosophy built on collective achievement rather than individual acclaim.
“I always felt that [love], obviously, when you win, and it it’s a bit more than when you don’t win,” he told the club magazine.
“People get frustrated a little bit. That’s part of the game. Football is a passionate, passionate game. But I would say that the love that I felt from day one, that people always understood and understood me, the way that I wanted to be understood, so I never wanted to be the star. I always wanted just to be another one in the team.
“And in this football club, you’re not allowed to be a football star. You’re allowed to be a part of a fantastic team, where everyone feels the same, and the fans also, they feel that way.
“So I remember even on my second third season, I always felt that the crowd really, really, really loved me, and so I have no complaints about that. They’ve been really good with me.
“The day I eventually leave, I can assure you I will always support this club.
“I feel that I became a part of this club and also a fan of this football club, not just a player. So after these many years to be able to wear the armband it’s obviously a massive honour.”
Appointed captain this season by Guardiola to restore standards that had slipped the previous year, Silva has led by example on and off the pitch.
He is currently guiding a squad still in contention for four trophies, underlining his enduring influence in a golden era that has delivered six Premier League titles, a Champions League crown and numerous domestic cups.
Silva’s contract expires at the end of the season, with little expectation of renewal.
