In the style of Ronaldinho.. David Silva returns from retirement at forty
Agencies3 min read
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In the style of Brazilian star Ronaldinho, Spaniard David Silva has decided to return to the football pitch at the age of forty, more than 3 years after his retirement, following the signing of a short-term contract with Supreme Sha Tin, a club newly promoted to the Hong Kong Premier League.
The club announced on Wednesday, via its official Instagram account, the signing of the Spanish midfielder in a surprise deal that brings one of the most prominent stars of his generation back to the pitch after his retirement in 2023.
The club stated: "What absolute madness! We officially announce the joining of the legendary Spanish midfielder, owner of the number 21 jersey, David Silva, to Supreme Sha Tin club."
It added: "David Silva will arrive in Hong Kong soon, after undergoing a medical examination in mid-October, and will undergo an intensive training program to ensure his readiness before joining the team and playing his first match."
The club continued that Silva "will participate in one match first."
The South China Morning Post, published in Hong Kong, reported that Silva, who won the World Cup with the Spanish national team, signed a short-term contract to work under the leadership of English coach Tom Ballantyne, who was appointed as the team's head coach this week.
Silva's return to the pitch comes more than 3 years after he announced his retirement in July 2023, following a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee during his time playing with Spain's Real Sociedad, which ended his professional career at the age of 37.
Silva left a prominent mark during his career with Manchester City, whose colors he defended for 10 years between 2010 and 2020, playing 436 matches in various competitions, during which he scored 77 goals and provided 136 assists.
The Spanish star won four Premier League titles with Manchester City, along with other domestic titles, becoming one of the most prominent players in the club's history during its modern era.
Internationally, Silva was one of the most prominent members of the golden generation of the Spanish national team, which won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and also won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Silva played 125 international matches for the Spanish national team, scoring 35 goals, while one of his most prominent international moments was scoring the first goal in the 2012 European Championship final, which saw "La Roja" win against Italy with four unanswered goals.
Supreme Sha Tin hopes that Silva's vast experience will provide a strong boost to the team, which was recently promoted to the Hong Kong Premier League and has only managed one win in its first four matches this season.
