Bernardo Silva is set to lead Portugal as captain following the international retirement of Cristiano Ronaldo, according to former national team player and manager Humberto Coelho.
Coelho evaluated the transition in an interview with the Lusa news agency, noting that the 32-year-old midfielder commands respect across the squad.
“Besides being one of the best players in Europe and the world, Bernardo Silva is an aggregator, manages to have sympathy with everyone and is demanding in the game with his colleagues,” Coelho told Lusa.
Silva assumes the captaincy role under a hierarchy determined by total international appearances among active squad members. The midfielder holds 115 caps and four goals for Portugal.
In the current squad selection, Silva leads in appearances ahead of Bruno Fernandes with 97 caps, Rúben Dias with 84 caps, and João Cancelo with 77 caps.
Silva currently represents Real Madrid under manager José Mourinho.
Coelho, who earned 63 caps as a central defender and captain between 1968 and 1983, managed Portugal to the semifinals of Euro 2000 and served as vice-president of the Portuguese Football Federation from 2011 to 2025.
“It is a huge honour and involves having a commitment to the national team, Portugal and all the players who are part of the group and doing the best possible, because what truly matters is winning,” Coelho told Lusa.
During recent international fixtures in September and October under new manager Jorge Jesus, Bruno Fernandes wore the armband for the majority of minutes while Silva appeared as a substitute in UEFA Nations League victories against Norway.
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football via social media one week prior to Portugal’s upcoming fixtures against Denmark and Wales, concluding a career featuring world records of 234 appearances and 146 goals over 23 years.
Ronaldo left the national team’s training camp in Copenhagen ahead of a Nations League fixture following a dispute with manager Jorge Jesus. He subsequently served a 30-day suspension and paid a fine.
“Ronaldo is a great player, he did extraordinary things and brought joy to millions of people, Portuguese, young people and children,” Coelho told Lusa. “It’s over and I’m sorry, but we have to thank him for what he did for the national team and for football.”
Portugal returns to competitive action in upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Wales.
“Portugal has good players,” Coelho told Lusa. “If the team has intensity, it can be superior to opponents who have a lot of quality, like Spain, France, England and Germany. We are at a very high level and we need to work to stay there and have success.”
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