(Football news) David Silva, a former player for Spain, made his retirement announcement on Thursday, just days after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during preseason practice for his club Real Sociedad.

Earlier in July, the 37-year-old midfielder suffered a left knee injury while preparing for his fourth La Liga season with the team. 

“Today is a sad day for me,” Silva said in a video posted to his social media. 

“Today it is time to say goodbye to what I have dedicated my whole life to. Today it is time to say goodbye to my colleagues, who are like family to me. I will miss you very much.”

David Silva, one of the best playmakers of his time, enjoyed trophy-laden runs in the Premier League, La Liga, and with the Spain national team. With Spain, he won the European Championship twice, the World Cup in 2010, and the Copa del Rey twice once with Valencia in 2008 and his final trophy with Sociedad in 2020.

While playing for Manchester City from 2010 to 2020, he won the Premier League four times, the FA Cup twice, and five League Cups, making it his most successful club tenure. 

David Silva, a Valencia academy product, has scored more than 120 goals and provided close to 200 assists in about 750 club matches. He has also scored 35 goals in 125 international matches for Spain. After his departure in 2020, he was given a statue outside City’s Etihad Stadium in commemoration of his contribution to the team’s achievements.

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