David Silva made his mark in his first game since coming out of retirement after scoring on debut in a man-of-the-match display for Hong Kong outfit Sha Tin on Saturday.

Last month, the Manchester City icon revealed he was lacing his football boots in a professional sense again for the first time since 2023.

The 40-year-old started for Sha Tin and broke the deadlock against HK Rangers from the penalty spot in the 56th minute.

Silva stepped up and coolly passed the ball into the bottom left-hand corner - sending Hong Kong Rangers goalkeeper Ka-Yu Yip the wrong way.

The playmaker's goal sparked mass celebrations from his team-mates and the fans in the stands - with many taking their phones out of their pockets to record the moment.

However, Silva's debut didn't go as smoothly as planned as the visitors equalised in the 65th minute through Ibrahim Yakubu Nassam.

With 11 minutes remaining, Silva was then booked before he was substituted in the 84th minute with his side down to 10 men following Maxwell Ansah's 81st-minute red card for a second bookable offence.

Despite failing to take all three points, Silva did collect the man-of-the-match award after the full-time whistle. 

Sha Tin currently sit 10th in the Hong Kong Premier League with five points from their opening seven matches. They sit one point and place above bottom-placed Eastern AA, who occupy the sole relegation spot, and 14 points adrift of table-toppers North District.

Silva called it a day on his playing career back in 2023 when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Real Sociedad.

He is most famed for spending ten years at Manchester City between 2010 and 2020, where he won 11 major honours; four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups. Much of that time period, though, is now under scrutiny.

He also has a statue outside the Etihad Stadium, and won the 2010 World Cup with Spain, as well as Euro 2008 and Euro 2012.

Upon joining Sha Tin, ex-Valencia midfielder Silva said in an Instagram video: 'I'm so excited to go to Hong Kong and enjoy the local culture, the food in Sha Tin and, of course, football in Hong Kong.'

Silva will hope to lead his side to victory when they take on Southern District in the Hong Kong League Cup Losers play-offs on Saturday.

READ: Man City legend David Silva comes out of retirement aged 40 to join Hong Kong side Sha Tin