Bernardo Silva says Portugal must honour Cristiano Ronaldo’s contribution while embracing a new era after becoming the team’s captain at the age of 32.
Silva has taken on the leadership role because he is Portugal’s most-capped player. Speaking at a news conference before the Nations League meeting with Denmark in Braga on 14 November 2026, alongside manager Jorge Jesus, he also discussed his uncertain position at Real Madrid.
“It was a long career for Cristiano and I had the honour of playing alongside him for 12 years,” said Silva. “Of course, there is a lot of sadness, but this day was always going to come sooner or later.”
He added: “We will continue the journey, trying to honour Cristiano and thank him for everything he has done for the national team. The new generation is moving forward, as happens in every area of life.”
Silva said the captaincy was a responsibility for Portugal’s senior players rather than one individual.
“It is a great honour,” he said. “This responsibility does not belong to just one player. It never has and it never will. It belongs to a group of experienced players.
“We will do everything we can to welcome the younger players, ensure things go well in the dressing room and maintain a very high level of work and commitment to the national team.”
He also acknowledged the scale of the attention previously carried by Ronaldo.
“Everyone knows the responsibility that comes with Cristiano,” said Silva. “Whenever he walked on to the pitch, most of the people in the stands had come to watch him.
“That is why our players are used to media attention, pressure and responsibility at their clubs, as well as being blamed when things do not go well. I do not see that as a major problem.”
Silva on his Real Madrid role
Silva admitted that his current situation at Real Madrid has been difficult because he is not guaranteed regular first-team football.
“It is always hard. Everyone wants to play and everyone wants to feel useful,” he said. “Throughout my career I have been an influential player who played regularly. When I do not play, it is difficult, of course.”
He said the manager had 27 players to choose from, while only 11 could play at one time, adding that he would give his best whether selected for “5, 10, 30 or 90 minutes”.
“I want to play and feel that I am useful,” Silva said.
The midfielder explained that his game has changed over the past decade. “I have become more cautious and thoughtful, and completely different from the player I was 10 years ago,” he said.
That development has led him to play in deeper midfield positions. Silva said he believed the manager viewed him primarily as an “8 or 10” who links defence and attack, rather than as a winger.
“My role is about balancing defence and attack, contributing to transitions and helping the team press and defend in deeper areas,” he said. “The player who can do a little bit of everything is what the manager expects from me.”
