Silva and Bryan Gil, idols of yesterday and today in Mestalla

One is 20 years old and has just arrived at Valencia. Another has just turned 36, 10 months ago he lifted the Copa del Rey with La Real and returns to the Che Coliseum 11 years later. Both are idols in Mestalla. Bryan Gil Y David Silva They will coincide on Sunday on the Valencian green in a very special match for both of them, whose stories intersect and trace curious episodes. The Real asked for Bryan in January, but in the end neither negotiated nor bid for him and that would have come to Anoeta delighted. He went to Valencia. Silva He wanted to go to the Che team when Manchester City did not renew him in 2020, but then Peter Lim bet on Kan In Lee and passed from the magician from Gran Canaria. When they called him from Donostia, the world champion signed without hesitation.

Imanol He referred to both. About Gil He said that “I think he is a very good footballer, he has shown it when he has been here. If I wish you were here? No. I have the best players and the best squad and I have to get the most out of the ones I have”. From Silva, who was unable to play in the Mestalla 2-2 due to injury last year, the coach stated: “He is getting closer to his best version.”

Gil, on loan from Tottenham, put the Mestalla public in his pocket in his debut last Wednesday against Cádiz. He played 97 minutes, killed himself, got kicked and held on stoically.

Silva He did not shine on Thursday against Betis and could start on the bench against Valencia in which he played 166 games and scored 31 goals between 2006 and 2010, in addition to achieving the first of his 20 titles, the Copa del Rey. “If they had been interested in him in 2020, David I would have gone to Valencia”, said his father, Fernando Jimenez, this week in ‘A punt’: “He is grateful to that team and that city; there he trained as a footballer”. Now he is happy in Anoeta.