Goal.com

Midfield trickster has won a World Cup and European Championship with Spain but feels that sealing Premier League glory on Sunday would equal both of those achievements

EXCLUSIVE
By Francisco Delgado

Manchester City midfielder David Silva insists that Sunday’s Premier League title decider against QPR is on par with Spain’s World Cup final against Netherlands in terms of significance and magnitude, branding it "the most important match of my career".

The 26-year-old has decorated his side’s rise to the English summit and a victory over the Hoops at the Etihad Stadium would secure Roberto Mancini’s men their first league title in 44 years.

The former Valencia schemer played a significant part in Spain’s Euro 2008 success, where he started the final against Germany, and was part of the squad in South Africa two years later, but believes that clinching the Premier League title at the expense of Manchester United would be equal to any of his achievements with the national team.

"For me, together with the finals I have played with the Spanish national team, this is the most important match of my career," he told Goal.com. "I never thought when I started out in football that one day I could be champion of the English league.

"Sunday's game is a dream scenario for any footballer. To play for the league title at home on the last day, in front of your fans.

"But we will have to be at our best against a rival who will come and give everything and who won't help us at all because they are playing to stay up."

Having overturned an eight-point deficit in little over a month City are now firm favourites to finish the job in front of their own fans, who are bracing themselves for an epic celebration, and Silva feels that, after completing the league double over United, his side would represent worthy champions.

He added: "There is optimism in the City squad but no euphoria. We know we haven't won anything yet and we are in for 90 minutes just as tough as the ones against Manchester United or Newcastle.

"To say it now sounds normal, but I haven't changed my discourse, even when things weren't going so well.

"City are the team that have played the best football in this Premier League season and on top of that we have won our two games against United. That's not luck.

"What I am seeing on the streets of Manchester this week is something I had never seen before. I believe the amount of City fans has either increased or they have all come out to shout about it and show their support.

"This is incredible and if we win the title it will be crazy."