Former Portugal coach Fernando Santos has hailed Real Madrid’s new signing Bernardo Silva as “a phenomenon in every sense”, insisting the 31-year-old is still among the very best players in world football and will thrive under Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, Santos delivered a ringing endorsement of the Portuguese playmaker, who has joined Real Madrid after a highly successful spell at Manchester City.
“As a footballer everyone already knows him, he has enormous quality and he sees football as only a very small number of players in the world do,” Santos said. “His level as a player is so high that it is difficult to say he is at the same level as a human being, but in his case this is the truth.
“He is caring, polite, kind and wonderful, and there is always a smile on his lips. On a personal and human level, he is one of the best players I have met in my entire career and Real Madrid have signed a phenomenon in every sense.”
‘One of the best in the world’ – and not done yet
Santos dismissed any doubts over whether Silva remains at his peak at 31 after another impressive season under Pep Guardiola in the Premier League.
“Based on what I saw this season with Manchester City, I say yes,” he said. “I know him perfectly and I am sure he still has excellent years ahead of him. He continues to be at the top of his career and he will prove that.
“For me, he is still one of the best players in the world, and I think Real Madrid have done exactly the right thing in signing him. He will add a great deal to the team.”
Intelligence, versatility and tactical discipline
Santos, who coached Silva with Portugal, highlighted the midfielder’s football intelligence as the defining feature that makes him stand out.
“His intelligence is the main reason,” he explained. “He is a very strong player technically and exceptional tactically. He understands the game very well and knows how to read every situation in the match with great precision.
“He always knows what to do with the ball and how to position himself when he doesn’t have it. I used him as a central midfielder, as a playmaker and even as a winger, and his performances were excellent in all positions.”
Santos believes that same versatility will be crucial as Silva integrates into a Real Madrid attack expected to be built around Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
Fitting in with Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham
“The big players know how to adapt to every situation and circumstance in a match,” Santos said when asked how Silva might combine with Real’s star forwards. “Bernardo is very, very good in this aspect and will not have any problem playing in any position he is asked to.
“I am sure that Mourinho has in his mind the role he wants to give him, and Bernardo will execute it in the best possible way.”
With strong competition for attacking places at Real Madrid, Santos is convinced Silva’s quality and mentality will ensure he becomes a regular starter.
“He is used to competition and his quality will allow him to secure a place in the starting XI,” Santos stressed. “I think he is destined to play a very important role, and that is why Mourinho asked for him specifically.
“Maybe he can play more near the touchline on the right wing and move inside from time to time, but wherever they put him he will perform brilliantly thanks to his tactical intelligence and reading of the game. Mourinho is a very intelligent coach, very strong in strategic concepts, and he will get the best out of him.”
Able to drop deeper – but deadliest near goal
Santos also believes Silva can operate in a deeper role, helping to build play from the back if required.
“Thanks to his understanding of the game and his great quality, he can do that without any problem,” he said. “In fact, we saw briefly against Uzbekistan how he formed a double pivot in midfield with Bruno Fernandes.
“Alongside a central, more classic midfielder, he can organise the team’s play perfectly, but in my opinion you get even more out of him the closer he is to the opponents’ goal.”
Work-rate, Modric comparisons and handling Bernabeu pressure
Silva’s defensive contribution has often been cited as a key factor in his importance at club and international level, something Santos was keen to underline.
“He proved that during his time at Manchester City,” the former Portugal boss said. “He may seem physically weak, but on the pitch he explodes with huge energy and always puts his abilities at the service of the team.
“He never spares a run, and he often intercepts the opponents’ passes thanks to how easily he positions himself on the pitch and his ability to anticipate their moves.”
Santos was reluctant to draw direct parallels with Real Madrid legend Luka Modric, but acknowledged similarities.
“I don’t like comparing players much because each has his own characteristics, but it is obvious there is a resemblance between them in the way they play,” he said. “I would say the two main qualities they share are enormous technical quality and total commitment to the team.”
With Real Madrid under pressure to return to their most convincing form at the Santiago Bernabeu after two disappointing seasons by their own standards, Santos believes Silva’s experience will be decisive.
“That will not be any problem for him at all,” he said. “He has great experience, he has played for big clubs, and he will know how to deal with the maximum pressure and the demands that Real Madrid requires. Bernardo will be fully up to the responsibility.”
‘He will exceed expectations’
Santos finished with a bold prediction that Real Madrid fans, used to seeing some of the greatest players in history, will quickly take Silva to heart.
“I am completely convinced the deal will be a success,” he concluded. “I think Real Madrid’s fans, who are knowledgeable and have seen the best players in the world in their stadium, will love Bernardo Silva.
“I think he will not disappoint anyone and he will exceed the expectations placed on him by far. He is extremely motivated because he loves challenges, and this challenge in front of him is enormous. He is a wonderful player, a player of great value, and he will show all of that wearing the white shirt.”
