DAVID SILVA is one of the most gifted footballers the Premier League has ever seen.
Defenders could never guess what he was going to do next, helping the maestro enshrine himself as a Manchester City legend.
And he is still throwing up surprises four years after leaving the Citizens.
An old photo of Silva‘s family has been doing the rounds on Twitter.
The playmaker, 38, looks incredibly youthful in a dark shirt and white chinos.
Brother Nando and sister Natalia are also in the shot along with their parents Fernando and Eva, who is half Japanese.
Many fans were stunned to find out Silva had Japanese roots.
One posted: “That’s crazy.”
Another added: “This news was out years ago, I was just as surprised then.”
Silva earned 125 caps for Spain after enjoying a trophy-laden 20-year career as a pro.
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The midfielder, who retired last year at the age of 37, was born in a small fishing village in Gran Canaria.
Grandmother Antonia Montesdeoca revealed he learned to play football with whatever they could get their hands on.
She told the Daily Mail: “They would play football out in the street with potatoes or oranges.
“When I didn’t have the luxury of an orange or a potato I would say, ‘Right, come on, the two of you outside’ and roll up some newspaper into a ball for them so they would play with that.
“David would have been four or five years old at the time.
“He was always very noble as a child. I have 10 grandchildren who all grew up here.
“When I told David to do something he behaved himself and did it so I didn’t need to smack him on the backside – unlike [Silva’s cousin and friend] Ransel who was more of a rebel.
“Even now, away from the pitch, he is like a little bird. Very shy.
“I see other football players who are not as good as David talking too much and I wish he spoke up for himself more.”
By Martin Blackburn
AFTER eight glorious years of stability, Manchester City now head into an uncertain 12 months.
And Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to neighbours United was a reminder that this glittering and unforgettable era will not go on for ever.
Around this time in 2025, City will be preparing for the highly-lucrative Fifa Club World Cup in the US.
Yet in all likelihood they will also be getting ready to say their goodbyes to manager Pep Guardiola, who has brought so much success to the east side of Manchester.
Meanwhile, there could be a verdict on 115 charges of financial irregularity which have been levelled at the club by Premier League chiefs.
The suggestion is the hearing could start later this year but is likely to take several months to reach a conclusion.
City continue to deny any wrongdoing and are confident they will be cleared by the independent commission.
Read Martin Blackburn’s full column here.
