David Silva had a touching tribute to his premature-born son tattooed on his arm after his family scare.
The heartfelt artwork was inked on to the inside of the Spanish playmaker’s left elbow with the message: “never surrender”.
And it has now come to light that Pep Guardiola told Silva’s Manchester City team-mates to win a crucial title-decider against Tottenham for stricken Mateo.
Silva, 32, was magnificent last season in midfield as City marched to the Premier League title.
But he missed games throughout December, on compassionate leave after his girlfriend Jessica gave birth after just 25 weeks.
In a worrying time for the midfielder, Silva dashed back and forth to Valencia — but thankfully little Mateo fought through and was released from hospital in May.
It prompted Silva to post his thanks for Hospital Casa de Salud in the city for saving his son’s life.
In footage from the new documentary, All or Nothing, released on Amazon Prime today, Guardiola gives his players a speech before their game against Spurs.
Silva said: “He was born 25 weeks, very prematurely.
“I was very worried all the time, because news could come whenever. You look at things a different way, for sure.You learn to prioritise the little things.”
¡Por fin nos vamos a casa! Estaremos eternamente agradecidos con el increíble equipo de las unidades de Maternidad y UCI pediátrica del Hospital Casa de Salud por la profesionalidad y el trato humano que nos han demostrado estos 5 largos meses.Simplemente Gracias!?? pic.twitter.com/j77IuVfjib
— David Silva (@21LVA) May 15, 2018
And in a video of Silva holding little Mateo, when City celebrated winning the title, he said: “Hi everyone.I want to apologise for not being able to celebrate the title with you today.
“I want to say thanks to my fans, team-mates, staff, club, especially to the manager for understanding this situation, you are a top human being.
“I will be in debt with you forever, so thank you very much.”
Pep, 47, said: “Today you have to win for one reason.
“You have to win for David Silva and his girlfriend.He’s f***ing suffering tonight. When you go out there, you enjoy. Enjoy for him.If you go out there and we suffer, then suffer for him. Is that clear?”
The Manchester City documentary All or Nothing is released on Amazon Prime today.
Silva, decided to bring down the curtain on his Spain career after winning 125 caps over a 12-year period when he helped his country win the World Cup and two European Championships.
The midfielder wants to concentrate on his club career and also spend more time with his baby son Mateo, who was born prematurely last season.
In an open letter, Silva said: “It has not been easy, after everything we’ve been through, to sit down and write this letter.
“I have been reflecting and analysing over the past days and weeks to come to the decision to end my international career with the Spanish national football team.”