Football world melts over star's beautiful moment with son
Manchester City thrilled in their 6-1 win over Huddersfield, but it was David Silva’s son who stole the show.
Silva appeared pre-match carrying his young son Mateo, who had spent five months in hospital fighting for his life.
Mateo was born prematurely last year, and the 32-year-old had been juggling his footballing commitments and supporting his family for some time.
Seeing Mateo in a healthy condition sent the football world into overdrive, with an overflow of support and emotional messages sent on social media.
Gran triunfo ante nuestra gente, dedicado especialmente a @21LVA y a su hijo Mateo. Y muy feliz por los tres goles ⚽️⚽️⚽️ //Great win for the lads, specially dedicated to @21LVA and his son Mateo. And quite pleased with the hat-trick ⚽⚽⚽ C'mon, City! pic.twitter.com/6HIlozvoKt
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) August 19, 2018
David Silva has his son Mateo with him for the pre-match line-ups and photos
— Sam Lee (@Sammy_Goal) August 19, 2018
Last season David Silva struggled to get game time as he was travelling back and fourth to Spain to visit his prematurely born Son, today he delivers a masterclass with his son in the stands. Class. #DavidSilva #ManCity pic.twitter.com/ifUbCVwCJj
— ᴹᴳ²⁹ [follow limit] (@Guenboozy) August 19, 2018
while im a die hard United fan im also a dad and its wonderful to see David Silva son making a full recovery best wishes to all the family
— bill murray (@bilko63) August 19, 2018
David Silva is one of the most lovable figures in football. Exemplary professional, classy with his remarks, and successful at club/national level. The world now knows more about his son’s story because of the documentary – free-kick in front of Mateo at the stadium is special.
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) August 19, 2018
yes 6-1.. yeah 1 or more assist for me (certainly more 😝😅) .. yeah Kun 3 goals and all that… but our MOTM today its him 😍 (and Im no talking about his dad) 💙 #mateo pic.twitter.com/cjisMtFCWa
— Benjamin Mendy (@benmendy23) August 19, 2018
Silva missed eight Premier League games after Christmas in the previous campaign while his son was fighting for his life in Spain.
Mateo was only allowed to return home in May and he was in attendance for Sunday’s 6-1 thrashing of Huddersfield.
Silva scored from a direct free-kick on his 250th Premier League appearance, and kissed his tattooed arm to celebrate.
Muchas gracias fenómeno,eres un artista 🔝🔝un abrazo👍🏻
A post shared by David Silva (@david21lva) on May 25, 2018 at 2:00pm PDT
The tattoo is that of Mateo, which Silva got in May upon his son’s return to the UK.
Silva had carried Mateo out onto the pitch prior to kick-off and he was in the dressing room afterwards.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola toasted a comfortable victory at the Etihad Stadium.
“He made an outstanding performance,” Guardiola said of Silva.
“Of course, he was so motivated because his family, parents, and his wife, and especially Mateo, is here. He scored an amazing goal for him.
A post shared by David Silva (@david21lva) on May 15, 2018 at 12:44pm PDT
“His son will never forget the first time he saw his father playing football, he could score this outstanding goal.
“We met [Mateo] two days ago, now he was in the locker room with all the squad, the family was there. It was a big moment for us.
“Last season was a tough moment for his family, and fortunately he fought a lot, the little boy, and he’s here. It’s a special day for them, for us, for David.”
Majestic City thrash Huddersfield
David Silva had set the tone with a majestic opening half-hour, torturing the Huddersfield defence and allowing the City supporters to forget about the absence of De Bruyne.
But, incredibly, Huddersfield scored from their first attack of the game, three minutes before the interval.
Philip Billing’s long throw-in was helped on by Steve Mounie and Jon Gorenc Stankovic responded quickly, forcing the ball in from six yards.
If that gave Guardiola something to ponder at the interval, it required just three minutes of the second half for Silva to restore City’s three-goal cushion.
The former Spain international, who this week announced his retirement from his national team, curled a magnificent 25-yard left-foot free-kick into the top right-hand corner of the Huddersfield goal.
Silva, who became the third City player after Joe Hart and Richard Dunne to appear in 250 Premier League games for the club, made way for Mahrez after 64 minutes but there was no let-up for the visitors.
Aguero might have claimed his hat-trick earlier, with a 56th minute shot that struck the Huddersfield post, while Hamer also turned around his shot around a post after 70 minutes.
Five minutes later, Aguero had his third — and his 31st league game in which he has scored multiple goals.
The striker met yet another dangerous left-wing cross from Mendy, twisting acrobatically to shoot across his body and into the goal from six yards.
That allowed Guardiola to take off Aguero, replacing him with Leroy Sane who helped wrap up the scoring after 84 minutes with a run and shot which took a fortunate rebound off Terence Kongolo on its way into the net.
with Goal/AFP.