Stepping into the national team captaincy following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo marks a difficult turning point for Portugal, according to midfielder Bernardo Silva.
Having shared a dressing room with the long-serving forward for more than a decade, Silva now faces the task of guiding a new generation of players. The transition officially begins as the squad adapts to life without their longtime leader at the helm.
“It is a natural process,” Silva said, as quoted by A Bola. “I had the pleasure of playing with Cristiano here in the national team for 12 years, he was always our captain, and with Cristiano having said goodbye to the national team… we, the oldest or most experienced, are left to help this younger crowd now to maintain the commitment, this work culture in the dressing room.”
A New Era and the Weight of the Armband
Acknowledging the immense shadow cast by his predecessor, the midfielder admitted that the shift is emotional for everyone involved. He said that the day had to arrive eventually, though parting ways with such an iconic figure remains heavy.
“A different chapter for all of us, this day would always arrive, sooner or later. Personally, it’s sad because it was an honor and pride to have shared the dressing room with him. Now we follow the natural path of continuing and trying to follow this path of success that the Seleção has followed in recent years,” Silva added.
Questions have naturally emerged regarding who will handle the intense media spotlight previously absorbed by Ronaldo. Silva expressed confidence that the current squad possesses the mental fortitude required for high-stakes international football.
“In terms of spotlights eventually yes, because everyone knows the weight Cristiano always has whenever he enters the field. Most of the people who go to the stadium went to see Cristiano and many went just for him; now that will probably not happen. In the national team this could happen a bit more, but on the other hand, the players in our national team are players who in their clubs are used to the spotlights, the pressure, the responsibility and to being pointed at when things don’t go well. So I don’t think it’s a big issue,” the captain said.
Tactical Shifts and Squad Frustrations
Beyond his leadership duties, Silva addressed his evolving role under manager Jorge Jesus, transitioning from a wide winger into a more central tactical engine. He believes the coaching staff views him as a versatile connector between the defense and attack.
Despite his senior status within the setup, the midfielder admitted to some personal frustration over limited playing time during the current Nations League campaign. With a large roster of 27 players competing for just 11 starting spots, competition remains fierce.
“It’s always difficult, because all players want to play, want to be part, be useful and I in my career have always gotten used to that. Being useful, participating and when I don’t participate it’s obviously hard. The coach, in this camp even more, 27 players, is a lot and only 11 can play at a time. Therefore, it is quite a difficult job, choosing, in a national team that has a lot of talent, what I can guarantee from my side is that I will always give my best,” he confessed.
Looking Ahead Under Familiar Leadership
The reunion with Jesus also stirs memories of Silva’s early days at Benfica, which included a memorable disagreement over a tactical assignment at left-back. Laughing off the past episode, the playmaker affirmed his willingness to fill any role necessary to secure victories.
Reflecting on recent improvements after underwhelming outings in past major tournaments, Silva remains optimistic about the team’s trajectory under the current coaching staff.
“I hope so, of course. These first four games were an excellent indicator. The national team grew and improved and we hope that path can continue, because without a doubt the last competitions, we are not going to hide it, were a disappointment and a failure, because we wanted to get much further,” Silva concluded.
