Bernardo Silva has officially stepped into the role of Portugal captain following the international retirement of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The midfielder described the departure of the legendary forward as a “sad moment” for the country, according to Yahoo Sports.
Reflecting on their 12 years playing together, Silva noted that the transition is a natural process for the team.
He explained that the responsibility now falls to the experienced players to maintain the squad’s work culture, as stated in reports by A Bola.
While acknowledging the intense media scrutiny that followed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Silva remains confident in his teammates.
He noted that most of the current roster is already accustomed to high-pressure environments at their respective club levels, per the outlets.
Regarding his tactical evolution under manager Jorge Jesus, Silva described his shifting role from an irreverent winger to a central engine.
He admitted that he feels frustrated by limited playing time during the current Nations League campaign, as noted by Goal.
Despite these challenges, the new captain emphasized his commitment to the team’s ongoing success.
Silva recalled his early days at Benfica under Jesus, joking that he is willing to play any position, even goalkeeper, to assist the team.
He believes the national squad has shown significant improvement under the current leadership following the disappointment of recent major tournaments.
Silva concluded that the team is ready for this different chapter, aiming to build upon the successes the Selecao has achieved in years past.
The transition marks a pivotal shift for Portuguese football as the group looks to move forward without their longtime leader.
Silva remains focused on fostering the development of the younger generation of talent now entering the international stage.