Thirty-two-year-old winger Bernardo Silva called it a great honor and a source of pride to take over as Portugal’s captain following Cristiano Ronaldo’s international retirement on November 5, fdpradio.com reported.
Silva steps into the role as Portugal prepares to face Denmark in Braga on Saturday for the UEFA Nations League. The team holds a secured spot in the next phase and needs just one point to seal first place in Group A4.
The squad enters this match following Ronaldo’s departure after disagreements with manager Jorge Jesus. Silva spent twelve years playing alongside Ronaldo on the national team.
“It is a great honor to be one of the captains. It is a sign that I have been here for a long time and that I have been able to represent the national team for many years,” Silva said at a press conference in Braga, fdpradio.com reported.
“I know what it takes for us to win and to be successful.”
Silva acknowledged the emotional weight of moving forward without a teammate who defined an era for Portuguese football. Ronaldo retired from the national squad following friction with Jesus.
“I only know the national team with Cristiano. It is going to be a different chapter for all of us. This day had to come sooner or later. For me it is sad because it was a pride and an honor to have shared a dressing room with him,” Silva told fdpradio.com.
Despite the transition, the team intends to maintain its competitive standard under its current leadership. Portugal enters the weekend fixture as the reigning champion of the Nations League.
Silva also assessed the team’s progress under Jesus across their first four matches. He said that the squad has grown and improved during this stretch.
“Hopefully that path can continue because, in the recent competitions — let’s not hide it — they were a disappointment and a failure, as we wanted to reach much further,” Silva told fdpradio.com.
Portugal hosts Denmark at the municipal stadium in Braga. A single draw secures the top spot in Group A4 for the hosts.
Silva and his teammates carry the responsibility of guiding the national team through the remainder of the tournament cycle.
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