David Silva has beaten Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne to Manchester City’s Player of the Year award and hinted that he could hang up his boots for Spain in order to keep going at the top level.
The 31-year-old, who has 111 caps to his name, is not looking to walk away from the Spain squad any time soon, but will assess his situation after the 2018 World Cup.
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He admits that he may need to focus his full attention on domestic matters in order to prolong a distinguished playing career.
For now, though, he is faring just fine, with his efforts in the 2016-17 campaign seeing him recognised as the star performer in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
When you're named the @EtihadAirways, #mcfc Player of the Season! #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/QYKAchVmQH
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 29, 2017
After picking up the award, Silva admitted when quizzed on the prospect of quitting the international stage.
"Could be. Let's see next season. At the moment I feel good, I feel fresh.
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"We will see what happens. You never know in football - now I feel ok but we will see in the future.”
Silva made 35 appearances for City across all competitions this season, netting seven goals and providing seven assists in Premier League fixtures.
Aguero found the target 33 times, while De Bruyne created 18, but they were edged out in the vote for City’s best.
All three will be hoping to be in the running once more in 2017-18, with Guardiola working hard to ensure that the club are challenging for major honours next term.
Several big-money deals are said to be in the pipeline, with £43 million already splashed out on Monaco midfielder Bernardo Silva.
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City’s new boy has said of working with his namesake David at the Etihad Stadium: “He is one of the best players in the world. I look forward to learning from him and to see what he can teach me. I look forward to playing with him.
"To have this opportunity is fantastic. When I was a kid I was looking at him and some other players, now to be able to play with them is great.”