In a candid interview, Manchester City maestro Bernardo Silva has opened up about his deep-rooted connection to Benfica, sharing heartfelt memories of his beginnings and leaving the door wide open for a sentimental return to the Lisbon club in the future.
Speaking with Fátima Campos Ferreira on RTP, the Portuguese international traced his football journey back to its origins, revealing how his talent was identified almost immediately.
Humble Beginnings and a Cultural Awakening
Bernardo recalled stories from his childhood that even he struggles to remember. “People tell me stories I don’t even remember — like when I was just a kid on the beach kicking a ball really well,” he said. “I always carried a ball to school.”
His path to Benfica was a birthday gift from his parents. “For my birthday, my parents signed me up at Benfica’s football schools. After my very first training session, when I was seven, they saw I had talent and invited me to join the federated teams.”
This early move was more than just a footballing step; it was a profound life lesson. Training near the old Estádio da Luz, before the famed Seixal academy was built, exposed him to a different reality. “It was a shock for me because I came from a comfortable background, and I saw teammates who didn’t even have enough to eat or had to travel long distances. It opened my eyes.” This experience was so defining that some teammates even nicknamed him ‘betinho’ (posh boy).
A Future Return Depends on “Two Sides”
When the conversation turned to the future, Bernardo did not hesitate to express his desire to one day wear the Benfica shirt again. “Of course I would like to go back,” he stated unequivocally. However, he was pragmatic about the conditions, noting, “But that depends on both me and the club. If they want it and I want it, it will happen.”
In a statement that will delight Benfica fans, he made it clear that a potential return would not be motivated by finances. “Right now my value is high, but if I return to Portugal, money won’t be the priority. I’ll ask for a fair salary, but always within what is normal in Portuguese football. I won’t demand anything unrealistic.”
Praise for President and Idol, Rui Costa
Bernardo also shared his thoughts on the club’s leadership under former club legend Rui Costa. He disclosed that he had initially supported Noronha Lopes in the last presidential elections, believing the club “needed a new direction at the time.”
However, he has been thoroughly impressed by the work of his childhood idol. “Rui Costa was my idol as a player, and I have to say I’ve been impressed with what he’s done in his first year as president.” For Bernardo, the most important thing is the club’s welfare: “What matters to me is that Benfica is led in the right direction.”
This interview paints a picture of a global star who remains deeply connected to his roots, offering hope to Benfica supporters that one of the club’s most illustrious products may yet finish his career where it all began.