The Club, via its Foundation, received a visit from Darío Silva who toured La Rosaleda stadium, culminating in the MCF Museum & Tour, where he was presented with a Blue and Whites’ shirt bearing his name and La Rosaleda’s 75th anniversary commemorative logo. The Uruguayan was accompanied throughout by his former teammate, Basti, from the MCF Foundation’s Social Department, as well as a Malaguista representation headed up by Club advisers; Francisco Martín Aguilar and Abdullah Ben Barek.
Darío Silva | Career
Debray Darío Silva Pereira was born on 2nd November in Treinta y Tres (Uruguay). Kicking off his career with Defensor Sporting, he later signed to Peñarol de Montevideo where he played for two years before signing to Cagliari. At the Italian club he achieved Serie A promotion in 1995, and stayed there until 1998, with a brief loan out to his former team, Peñarol. In the summer of 1998 he moved to RCD Espanyol, and in 1999 arrived at a newly promoted Málaga, debuting MCF in the First Division.
His first official match with the Blue and Whites was the 1st League match against his former team, Espanyol, ending in a Malaguista victory (1-0, Catanha) on 22nd August 1999. During his first season at the Club, he played 23 League games (4 goals), and also took part in 3 Copa del Rey matches. From the following season, he formed a partnership with Dely Valdés, an historic attacking duo known as the ‘Double D’.
The 2000/01 season was the best for Darío with regards to goals, scoring 13 goals in 26 League matches. He scored an unforgettable goal against Valladolid after 8’1 seconds, at the time the fastest in First Division history, the third to date, and the second quickest after an initial kick by the rival team. In 2001/02, he took part in 26 League matches, scoring 9 goals.
2002/03, which would see the European debut of Málaga CF, was Darío Silva’s last season with the Blue and Whites. He played 28 League games, scoring 10 goals; took part in 7 UEFA Cup matches, scoring 1 goal against Amica Wronki; and also participated in 2 Copa del Rey and 3 UEFA Intertoto Cup games. His final match as a Malaguista was in the 3-2 victory against Sevilla FC, where he scored 2 goals on 15th June 2003.
Darío played 100 League games with MCF, scoring 36 goals, making him the 2nd highest scorer for MCF in the First Division, just behind his teammate, Dely Valdés. Darío Silva’s total numbers as a Málaga CF player were 115 official matches and 37 goals. He is the Uruguayan player with the second highest number of matches in the Club’s history, behind Marcelo Romero. In 2003 he left Málaga to sign to Sevilla FC, where he remained for two seasons. In 2005 he moved to what would be his last Club as a professional player, English side, Portsmouth.
Representing his country, he was a full international with Uruguay in 49 matches, scoring 14 goals: Of these 49 games, 21 took place during his time as a Malaguista, when he scored 6 goals. He also took part in the Korea and Japan World Cup in 2002.
Darío Silva | Statements MCFTV
(Return) “I’m very touched as I didn’t expect to see so many friendly faces and the wonderful friends I have here thanks to football. I’m delighted and very emotional.”
(Past) “We had some incredible times, we were a great group, particularly off the pitch. This friendship led us to achieve important things.”
(Idol) “The people of Málaga still recognise me and take photos. It’s very gratifying for me as I think I left an important mark, especially as a human being.”
(Best goal) “The one after 7 seconds I think, as I’m still in the Guinness Book of Records for that. Eusebio and many people from Valladolid remember it, they kicked off and we had to steal possession in order to score a goal. I was thrilled as the coach said it would be a very tough match and we’d need to score early on, but we didn’t think it would be that quickly.”
(Málaga) “Málaga is Málaga. If I were to go today I think I’d get lost, so much has changed, but for the better. The stadium has changed, the roads, places I used to know, and it’s nice to see the city has evolved so much. It is a very welcoming place, particularly for tourists.”
(Teammates) “With the group we had off the field, we still maintain the same friendship. The best thing about this is that we remember the old ways, and it’s always funny when we recall certain anecdotes. Technology is marvellous.”
(Present) “I’m still working, I’m currently with a company who brings players, with René Ramos. It’s an important company, especially in Europe and South America with the younger players, who are the foundation of success for clubs.”
(Uruguayans at MCF) “Gonzalo -De los Santos-and all those people got where they did thanks to me. I know they’ll see me and remember me, as I always give my all…thanks to me they became who they are today (laughs). Indeed, they left a mark, they brought together a group who took things forward. Chory and Ricca? They are very good players. I think I shared some pre-selections with Chory, he’s very good. Ricca is a good winger, young and has a lot ahead of him.”
(Message to the fans) “I hope they forgive me for going to another team. I will always love them, football is like that unfortunately, when you have open doors on all sides. I’m very grateful to all the fans for their support during the years I was here, not just me, but the entire group. It’s important to keep coming back as football can often bring rematches, and I hope my visit brings good luck and the team achieves great things. A big hug, I love you all.”
