Man City name Bernardo Silva as new captain over Dias, Rodri

Manchester City have named Bernardo Silva as their new club captain for the 2025/26 season, ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup opener against Wydad AC on June 18, 2025. Manager Pep Guardiola announced the decision, marking a departure from his usual practice of allowing players and staff to vote for the captain. Silva, a 30-year-old Portuguese midfielder, succeeds Kevin De Bruyne, who left for Napoli on a free transfer after his contract expired in June 2025.

Guardiola personally selected Bernardo Silva, citing his leadership qualities and dissatisfaction with aspects of the team’s performance during the 2024/25 season, which saw City finish third in the Premier League. “I’m the manager, and this season, for the first time in my career, I decided who would be my captain,” Guardiola said. “I didn’t like what happened last season. I chose the four captains, and at the end of this World Cup, we may choose one or two more.” Rúben Dias, Rodri, and Erling Haaland were named vice-captains to support Silva.

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Bernardo Silva, who joined City from Monaco in 2017 for £43.5 million, has made over 400 appearances, winning six Premier League titles, the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League, and the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. His contract, set to expire in June 2026, has sparked speculation about his future, with links to his boyhood club Benfica and Saudi Pro League sides. Silva remained non-committal, stating, “I know what I’m going to do, but it’s not the time to talk about that. I’m very focused on my season at Man City. This season, for sure, I’m going to stay.”

The appointment follows Kyle Walker’s loan to AC Milan in January 2025 and his subsequent exclusion from City’s Club World Cup squad. Silva, part of the leadership group last season, was praised by Guardiola for his reliability, with no major injuries in nine years and his willingness to speak candidly for the club’s benefit. Fans expressed mixed reactions on X, with some lauding Silva’s “selfless and intelligent” leadership, while others preferred Rodri or Dias for the role.