I discovered this world a few years ago…” 🍷 He now lives a very different life away from football

When Pep Guardiola walked into Manchester City in the summer of 2016, English football knew something special was about to begin. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager arrived with enormous expectations, a revolutionary football philosophy, and a reputation as one of the greatest tactical minds the sport had ever seen. Supporters dreamed about trophies, beautiful football, and European glory. Rivals feared what Manchester City could become under his leadership.

But nobody could have imagined just how historic the next ten years would truly be.

Premier League titles, domestic cups, Champions League glory, record-breaking points totals, unbelievable winning streaks, and some of the greatest football ever seen in England all followed Guardiola’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium. The club transformed from ambitious challengers into one of the biggest football institutions on the planet.

Now, with Guardiola officially preparing to leave Manchester City at the end of the 2025/26 season, football fans across the world are looking back at where it all began.

And that journey started on a tense afternoon in August 2016 against Sunderland.

It was Guardiola’s first competitive match in English football. The excitement inside the Etihad Stadium was impossible to describe. Manchester City supporters filled the stands with hope, curiosity, and anticipation. They wanted to see Guardiola’s famous style immediately. They wanted domination. They wanted magic.

Instead, they nearly witnessed disaster.

City started brightly that day. Sergio Aguero scored after just four minutes, sending the stadium into celebration and seemingly setting the stage for a comfortable afternoon. Guardiola stood calmly on the touchline, already directing every movement with his usual intensity.

But football rarely follows the script people expect.

Despite controlling possession, City struggled to kill the game. Sunderland defended deeply, frustrated Guardiola’s players, and slowly grew into the contest. Then, with just under twenty minutes remaining, Jermaine Defoe silenced the Etihad by scoring the equaliser.

Suddenly panic spread around the stadium.

Supporters feared Guardiola’s Premier League debut could end in embarrassment. Critics prepared themselves to question whether his style could really succeed in English football.

Then came the moment that changed everything.

With the match drifting toward a frustrating draw, Sunderland defender Paddy McNair accidentally turned the ball into his own net late in the game. Manchester City escaped with a 2-1 victory. Guardiola celebrated passionately with his coaching staff while fans roared with relief.

It was not the perfect performance many expected.

But it was the beginning of a football dynasty.

Ten years later, Guardiola leaves Manchester City as arguably the greatest manager in Premier League history. The trophies speak for themselves. Six league titles. Multiple FA Cups. League Cups. A Champions League trophy. Historic trebles. Records shattered everywhere.

But what makes Guardiola’s story even more emotional is seeing how life changed for the players who were there on that very first day.

One of those players was David Silva.

The legendary Spanish midfielder started in central midfield during Guardiola’s first game against Sunderland. At that time, Silva was already considered one of Manchester City’s greatest-ever footballers. But under Guardiola, he somehow became even better.

The connection between Guardiola and Silva was football art.

Silva controlled games with elegance and intelligence. Guardiola trusted him completely. Together they helped shape the football identity that would eventually dominate England.

For many supporters, Silva represented the soul of Manchester City during that era.

He was not the loudest player. He was not obsessed with attention or headlines. But whenever Manchester City needed control, creativity, or composure, Silva delivered.

His movement between the lines confused defenders. His passing destroyed defensive systems. His calmness under pressure made difficult matches look easy.

Guardiola adored him.

When Silva eventually left Manchester City in 2020, Guardiola struggled emotionally during his farewell. The manager openly admitted how important the midfielder had been in transforming the club into champions.

“Extraordinary,” Guardiola said while praising Silva.

“The amount of games, the huge quality in the games he played, the titles he helped win… he’s alongside five or six others who made this club what it is now.”

That statement carried huge weight.

Because Guardiola coached some of the greatest footballers in modern history. Lionel Messi. Andres Iniesta. Kevin De Bruyne. Robert Lewandowski. Yet Silva still stood among the players Guardiola valued most deeply.

The Spaniard was not simply a great footballer.

He became part of Manchester City history forever.

After leaving England, Silva returned to Spain to continue his career with Real Sociedad. Even in the later years of his career, his technical quality remained unbelievable. Fans in La Liga quickly fell in love with him once again.

But eventually, after three more seasons, Silva finally decided it was time to retire from football in 2023.

For many players, retirement creates uncertainty.

Football defines their entire lives for decades. Suddenly the stadium lights disappear. The pressure disappears. The routine disappears. Some struggle to adjust.

But David Silva chose a completely different path.

Instead of moving into coaching like many former teammates, the Manchester City legend quietly began building a business empire away from football.

And surprisingly, his biggest passion became wine.

To many football fans, the idea of David Silva becoming a winemaker sounds almost unbelievable at first. The quiet midfielder who once controlled Premier League games with magical passes now spends time studying vineyards, grape quality, and wine production.

But those close to him say the transition actually makes perfect sense.

Because Silva approaches winemaking the same way he approached football.

With obsession.

With perfectionism.

With patience.

Reports from Spain revealed that Silva had already been exploring the wine industry since around 2010 while still playing football professionally. But after retirement, his involvement grew massively.

He eventually partnered with respected winemaker Jonatan Garcia to launch an ambitious winery project called Bodega Tameran in the Canary Islands.

The project quickly attracted major attention.

Silva invested heavily into the business, purchasing a huge farm covering almost one million square metres in his native Gran Canaria. Instead of choosing a simple retirement life filled with television appearances or football commentary, he committed himself fully to creating world-class wine.

Those working with him quickly noticed how serious he was.

Jonatan Garcia described Silva as completely obsessed with improving every detail.

“Yes, he’s a freak,” Garcia explained.

“He is obsessive. When he does something he wants to be the best. It is the same with football.”

That mentality perfectly describes the former midfielder.

Even during his playing career, Silva never relied only on natural talent. Coaches constantly praised his professionalism, intelligence, and attention to detail. He studied football carefully. He trained seriously. He respected the game completely.

Now he applies that same mindset to business.

Silva himself has spoken passionately about his wines and the identity behind them.

“Above all, they are wines that will tell you where they are from,” he explained.

“You will know that they are from the Canary Islands.”

For Silva, the project is deeply personal.

It is not only about money or celebrity branding. It is about culture, heritage, and representing his homeland proudly. He wants the wines to reflect the volcanic landscape and unique environment of the Canary Islands.

That emotional connection reminds many fans of how he played football.

Always authentic.

Always elegant.

Always connected to his roots.

The success of the business has been remarkable.

Some bottles produced by Silva’s winery reportedly sell for huge prices inside luxury restaurants across Europe. One particular wine, Baboso, can reportedly cost around £150 inside Michelin-starred restaurants in London.

Demand continues growing globally.

The first major vintages produced by Silva’s winery reportedly exceeded 10,000 bottles by 2023, with exports reaching countries all around the world.

For many football fans, it feels strange seeing a Premier League legend transition into the wine industry so successfully. But perhaps it should not be surprising.

Elite footballers often possess qualities that translate naturally into business success. Discipline. Focus. Competitive mentality. High standards.

Silva clearly carries all those traits.

And wine is not the only area where he has invested.

Reports also reveal that Silva became heavily involved in real estate projects after retirement. The former Manchester City midfielder owns luxury properties, including a beach club in Amadores and a major luxury resort development in Arguineguín.

His business portfolio continues expanding quietly.

Yet despite his success away from football, supporters still remember him first for what he achieved on the pitch.

Especially Manchester City fans.

For many supporters, Silva represents one of the greatest periods in the club’s entire history. Before the Guardiola era fully exploded into dominance, Silva was already helping lay the foundation.

His arrival from Valencia in 2010 changed everything.

At that time, Manchester City were still fighting to establish themselves among Europe’s elite clubs. Silva arrived alongside growing ambition and quickly became central to the project.

His intelligence transformed City’s midfield.

Fans watched in amazement as he danced past defenders, created impossible passing angles, and controlled the tempo of matches effortlessly. He made difficult football look simple.

And when Guardiola eventually arrived in 2016, the relationship between manager and player elevated Manchester City to another level entirely.

Together they created football that sometimes looked almost unfair.

Opponents chased shadows. Possession numbers became ridiculous. Defenders looked confused trying to stop City’s movement.

Silva remained at the heart of everything.

Now, as Guardiola prepares to leave Manchester City himself, supporters cannot help looking back emotionally at the players who helped shape his journey.

Some have retired.

Some moved abroad.

Some remain at the club.

But figures like David Silva will always represent the beginning of something historic.

That opening day against Sunderland now feels like a completely different era.

Back then, Guardiola was only starting his English adventure. Nobody knew whether his methods would succeed. Critics questioned whether possession football could survive the intensity of the Premier League.

Ten years later, those doubts look ridiculous.

Guardiola changed English football forever.

And David Silva was one of the key artists helping paint that masterpiece.

Now both men have entered new chapters.

Guardiola prepares to leave the dugout after building one of the greatest dynasties football has ever seen.

Silva quietly builds a business empire surrounded by vineyards and volcanic landscapes far away from Premier League chaos.

Life moves quickly in football.

One moment players are battling for titles inside packed stadiums. The next moment they are businessmen, investors, and retired legends telling stories about the past.

But supporters never forget the memories.

Manchester City fans will always remember Guardiola’s first game.

They will remember Aguero scoring early.

They will remember Defoe shocking the Etihad.

They will remember McNair’s own goal saving Guardiola’s debut.

And they will remember David Silva standing calmly in midfield as the beginning of a football revolution unfolded around him.

Nobody could have predicted then what Manchester City would become over the next decade.

Nobody imagined Guardiola would dominate England so completely.

Nobody imagined Silva would eventually swap football boots for vineyards and wine bottles.

But that is the beauty of football.

Stories evolve.

Careers change.