Portuguese star Bernardo Silva expressed his great pride and honor in taking on the captain’s armband for the Portugal national team, describing this new role as a great honor following the retirement of the legend Cristiano Ronaldo. Silva made these remarks at a press conference held yesterday, Friday, in the city of Braga, where he confirmed that he is ready to bear this important leadership responsibility.
At the press conference, Bernardo Silva said that his presence as one of the leaders is a clear indication of his long-term continuity with the team, and his participation in achieving accomplishments over many years. He added that he fully understands the requirements of winning and success, pledging to perform this role with pride and diligence to give his best for the national team.
In a related context, Silva spoke about Ronaldo’s international retirement, which was announced on November 5, 2026, following disagreements with the new coach Jorge Jesus. He expressed his deep sadness at this moment, noting that he enjoyed playing alongside Ronaldo for 12 years on the national team. He considered that the team would enter a new and different chapter without Cristiano, emphasizing that this moment was inevitable sooner or later, and that sharing the locker room with him was an unforgettable honor and pride.
These statements come ahead of Portugal’s match against Denmark today, Saturday, in Braga, marking the first match for the team after Ronaldo’s retirement. The holder of the UEFA Nations League title has secured qualification for the next stage, and only needs to achieve one point to ensure topping Group 4 of League 1. Bernardo Silva pointed to the development and improvement of the team’s performance during the first four matches under the leadership of Jorge Jesus, expressing his hope that this positive trajectory will continue after recent disappointments in tournaments.
