The Pressure of Success: Bernardo Silva's Warning to Manchester City Stars
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva issues a stark warning to his teammates, emphasizing the high stakes and pressure of winning trophies in the upcoming season. Silva's insights shed light on the competitive environment under Pep Guardiola's leadership and the ruthless standards set by the club.

Bernardo Silva has warned Manchester City stars that they face being "killed", in a sporting sense, if they fail to win trophies in 2025-26. Under Pep Guardiola, the Blues have grown accustomed to collecting major silverware. They missed out on the grandest of prizes last season and are aware that more tough decisions will be made if they come up short again.City did lift the Community Shield ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, but that was as good as it got on the trophy-hunting front. Liverpool ran away with the Premier League title, while Paris Saint-Germain were crowned champions of Europe. Guardiola’s side also came unstuck at the FIFA Club World Cup.Arsenal’s bright start to the current campaign had many suggesting that City would miss out on a domestic title once again - having won four-in-a-row between 2020 and 2024 - but the odd wobble from the Gunners and a run of three successive top-flight victories for the Blues has lifted them to within two points of rivals from north London.Positive progress has also been made in the Champions League, while Brentford will soon be faced in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and another FA Cup quest will get underway in January when lining up against League One outfit Exeter.Silva, who has been with City since 2017 and has claimed 17 pieces of silverware with the club - including a Treble triumph in 2022-23 - is aware of the need to keep on winning. The Portugal international says exits are inevitable in upcoming transfer windows if the Blues end the current campaign empty-handed.Silva told BBC Sport when asked if City can restock their trophy cabinet this season: "That’s the aim. It would mean a lot because at this club it’s not acceptable to not win. If you don’t win, the club will make decisions again and it’s normal, it’s part of the business."Either you kill or you get killed, and that’s the way it is. That’s good, that’s good. If you want to play for Man City, you need to win. If you don’t win, you don’t deserve to be here. So that pressure, that’s on us, it’s a good one and we take it."Quizzed on whether City are better prepared to compete for major honours than they were 12 months ago, Silva added: "I think we’re much, much better, you cannot compare. Like, if you said to me last season with no injuries, last season was a very, very good squad, but with all the injuries we had and all the problems that we had, I would say that right now we’re much more prepared to fight for titles, yeah."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Silva is determined to enhance his own CV as he will be out of contract next summer. He is far from being finished, at 31 years of age, but is already giving some thought to what path he will tread when reaching retirement.Pressed by DAZN on whether he will remain in professional football, the 107-cap Portugal international said: "I don’t know if, when I finish my career, I will miss football or not. I think I will. Football brings a load of travel and energy that is difficult. With 20 years, or more with the youth years I gave to football, I will want to spend time with my family. I will want to travel with my wife. I will want to give time to my children."I don’t know if I will want to give that time back to football after I finish my career. But without a doubt, if I return it will be as a coach, and I think I will have the ability to do it."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingSilva does have vast experience to pass on, having worked under the likes of Guardiola and alongside five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. After chasing down domestic and continental honours with City, his attention will turn next summer - when hitting free agency - to a World Cup title bid with Portugal.
The Drive for Success
Bernardo Silva, a key player at Manchester City since 2017, has raised the stakes for his teammates by warning them of the consequences of failing to secure trophies in the 2025-26 season. With City falling short in major competitions last season, Silva emphasizes the club's relentless pursuit of success and the inevitable repercussions of underachievement.
The Need for Constant Improvement
Silva's message reflects the demanding culture at City, where winning is not just a goal but an expectation. The midfielder, who has celebrated numerous successes with the club, including a memorable Treble triumph, underscores the importance of continuous improvement and the readiness to make tough decisions to maintain a winning mentality.
Rise to the Challenge
As City navigate a season filled with domestic and continental competitions, Silva's words serve as a rallying cry for the team to step up and deliver. With positive signs in recent performances and a hunger to add more silverware to their collection, the players are urged to embrace the pressure and excel under the spotlight.
Embracing Change and Future Plans
Silva's focus on the present challenges does not overshadow his contemplation of the future. With his contract set to expire next summer, the experienced midfielder hints at a potential transition into coaching post-retirement. His diverse experiences under top managers and alongside football icons like Cristiano Ronaldo equip him with valuable knowledge to impart in the future.






