Bernardo Silva eyes second domestic treble – and medals to prove it
The 24-year-old playmaker’s first campaign in professional football was as a member of the Benfica squad that won the first — and so far only — domestic treble in the history of Portuguese football in 2014.
As a teenager, Silva was limited to small substitute appearances in one game in each of the three competitions — the Primeira Liga, Portuguese Cup and Portuguese League Cup.
But, given the rarity of domestic trebles in the European football landscape, the fact he is two victories away from his second in six years with Pep Guardiola’s side is a remarkable achievement.
“Well I didn’t play very much, I played only one game in each competition so it didn’t mean as much as it would right now for me,” said Silva of his Benfica season.
“But, yeah, to win three, all the domestic competitions, is so difficult because we play in one of the most competitive leagues.”
City can become the first team in a decade to make a successful defence of their Premier League crown with victory at Brighton on the final day of the season, adding to the League Cup they won by defeating Chelsea on penalties at Wembley in February.
An FA Cup final date with Watford follows in which success could mean City complete a hat-trick of trophies no English team has ever managed in a single season.
“We play against fantastic teams, especially this season against this Liverpool team that was unbelievable,” added Silva.
“It was very tough for us. Hopefully we can win this last game on Sunday and celebrate the title.
“In Portugal, I celebrated more as a fan because I am a Benfica fan, than as a player because I trained three or four times with them, played five minutes in each game so it didn’t mean as much as a player as, for example, this season will if we win all the competitions.
“We haven’t done it yet, two games to go, we have to focus on Sunday because it is an amazing achievement if we win back-to-back titles.”
– ‘Make history’ –