28th August, 2021
Manchester City have unveiled statues of club legends Vincent Kompany and David Silva outside the Etihad Stadium, ahead of the Arsenal game on Saturday.
The duo played huge roles after the Abu Dahani group took over Manchester City.
They helped the club win four Premier League titles and two FA Cups in the 2010s, with the Belgian captaining them on their way to lifting some huge trophies.
They have now been immortalized outside the Etihad by Scottish sculptor Andy Scott, who created the statues remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking to Man City’s official website, Kompany said: “I didn’t really expect to be recognised by such a great club in that way. My wife is from Manchester, my kids are born in Manchester, and they go back to a place where they can see something that represents what their Dad has achieved and that is something that I can’t describe.
“The first time I saw the statue I couldn’t believe how big it was, but then again, I’m a big boy, so fair enough! And then especially the pose, for me it means a lot.”
Silva, who left City and returned to La Liga with Real Sociedad in 2020, said: “Being at City changed my life. I’m proud of what we did together and I feel emotional that it has been recognized like this.
“When I first saw the statue, I felt good, I thought it was like me. This statue really represents the way I like to play, I love the pose the sculptor has chosen. It really reminds me of those times I was on the pitch playing and that moment when I had to find the striker.”
Sergio Aguero would be honored in a similar way next year after he departed for Barcelona this summer.