Veteran playmaker Silva is set to leave City at the end of this season, following a decorated 10-year stint that has yielded four Premier League titles, five EFL Cups and two FA Cups – the first of which in 2011 ended a 35-year trophy drought.
He offered a reminder of his enduring qualities with a masterful display in Wednesday’s 5-0 routing of Newcastle United.
Silva supplied his 120th and 121st assists in City colours by setting up Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling, while he also dispatched a 65th-minute free-kick – the 76th goal of his time in England.
Begiristain feels Silva holds a special place in City history, along with club record goalscorer Sergio Aguero and the recently departed Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany.
“He’s been unbelievable in football in the world - especially here,” he told the club’s official website. “He’s spent 10 wonderful years, winning trophies and changing the dynamic of the club.
“He’s been one of the leaders – with Vincent, with Yaya and Kun [Aguero]. No one will forget what they’ve done for this football club.
“Not only the way David plays football but helping us be a successful club.
“David is always going to be remembered because of that.”
Brazil forward Jesus opened the scoring with his 11th Premier League goal of the season – ending a nine-match drought that stretched back to February’s 2-1 Champions League win at Real Madrid.
Echoing the sentiments of Pep Guardiola, Begiristain praised Jesus’ selfless work for the team during a period of personal toil.
“His work rate, he’s unbelievable,” he said. “He helps a lot by creating space for the midfielders.
“He’s the number nine and he likes to score and [against Newcastle] he could. We are always happy with the work rate.”
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