He amassed competitive totals of 458 games and one goal over 13 La Liga seasons, winning six major titles.

Silva was an everpresent fixture with the Galicians, only suspensions and injuries preventing him from being cast into the starting XI – in the 1994–95 campaign he only appeared in six La Liga matches[3] and, already 36, was limited to 20 in his final year – as he helped them to one league, two cups and three supercups, adding to this the team's five participations in the UEFA Champions League, reaching the semi-finals in 2003–04: after a 0–0 away draw against FC Porto he missed the second leg due to suspension, and Depor lost 1–0.

[4][5] On 22 May 2005, after 13 years with Deportivo, Silva was replaced by longtime understudy Aldo Duscher during a 3–0 home loss against RCD Mallorca, bidding farewell to the Estadio Riazor and football in the same match as another club legend, Fran.

[6] In December 2016, as Deportivo celebrated its 110th anniversary, Silva was chosen by club fans as the best player in its history.

[9] According to the organisation, the lack of attacking play in the final of the tournament against Italy was in part down to strong holding midfield play by Dino Baggio for Italy, and Dunga and Mauro Silva for Brazil; following a 0–0 draw after extra-time, Brazil won the match in a penalty shoot-out.