Bernardo Silva concern grows before Real Madrid move

Bernardo Silva will join Real Madrid after leaving Manchester City, but Spanish media are already questioning his form following a reduced role for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.

The 31-year-old agreed his move to Madrid before the tournament and will arrive as a free agent after the end of his hugely successful spell at Manchester City. The deal was viewed as a significant coup, particularly with José Mourinho pushing for the midfielder’s arrival.

However, Mundo Deportivo has now raised concerns over Silva’s tournament, claiming the former Manchester City star has “disappeared from the map” for Portugal.

The criticism comes after Roberto Martínez reduced Silva’s involvement following the opening game, creating an unexpected talking point before he begins the next stage of his career at Real Madrid.

Silva started Portugal’s opening World Cup match against DR Congo, which ended in a 1-1 draw, but his role has diminished since then.

He subsequently dropped to the bench and did not feature in the important group-stage fixture against Colombia. Silva returned during Portugal’s round-of-32 victory over Croatia, but only played the final 28 minutes and, according to Mundo Deportivo, failed to make a significant impact.

The Spanish newspaper believes Silva is no longer guaranteed a place in Martínez’s starting XI. Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto and João Félix are all presented as being ahead of him in Portugal’s current attacking hierarchy.

That represents a significant change from the expectations before the tournament.

Silva arrived at the World Cup as one of the most experienced players in a Portugal squad considered capable of challenging for the trophy. After years as a central figure for both club and country, he was expected to have an important role.

Instead, his influence has been limited.

Silva’s move to Real Madrid was agreed before the World Cup began, when the expectation in Spain was that the midfielder would arrive after playing a prominent role for Portugal.

His reduced involvement has therefore created an awkward early debate.

Mundo Deportivo questions whether Real Madrid are signing a player who can still lead at the highest level or one beginning to move away from his peak years. Silva is 31 and leaves English football after a long period of intense physical and tactical demands under Pep Guardiola.

That does not mean a difficult World Cup automatically defines his current level. International tournaments can produce changing selection decisions, and Portugal have several elite attacking options competing for places.

However, Silva’s limited role has changed the immediate optics surrounding a transfer that had initially been celebrated as an obvious success for Real Madrid.

Much will depend on how Mourinho intends to use him.

Silva’s value at Manchester City was never based solely on goals and assists.

Guardiola trusted him because of his tactical intelligence, movement, ball retention and ability to operate in several positions. He could play centrally, start from the right or take on a deeper midfield role depending on the opposition.

Having followed Manchester City closely during Silva’s final seasons, his importance was often clearest in demanding matches where control and positional discipline mattered most. His ability to understand space made him one of Guardiola’s most reliable players.

That versatility may be central to Mourinho’s plans at Real Madrid.

Silva does not necessarily need to reproduce the role he currently has with Portugal. Club football offers different tactical demands, and Mourinho pushed for the deal knowing the midfielder’s age and recent workload.

Still, the concern raised in Spain is understandable. A player expected to be one of Portugal’s leaders has instead found himself on the fringes during the most important tournament of the summer.

It remains too early to draw firm conclusions about his Real Madrid prospects from a handful of international matches, but his World Cup has removed some of the certainty that surrounded the transfer.

For Manchester City, Silva’s situation creates a different perspective.

The midfielder leaves after serving the club with distinction and playing a major role in one of the most successful periods in their history. His departure does not diminish that legacy.

Yet City are also moving on before having to answer the questions now emerging in Spain.

Silva is entering the later stage of his career, and Real Madrid must determine how much of the player who thrived under Guardiola can be carried into a new league and a new tactical system.

Mourinho clearly believes there is still significant value to unlock. Silva’s technical quality and football intelligence remain obvious, while his experience could prove important during a demanding season.

The World Cup, though, has created the first real doubt around the deal before he has even played for his new club.

Silva’s immediate challenge is to force his way back into Martínez’s plans as Portugal continue their World Cup campaign.

A strong performance in the knockout stages could quickly change the discussion around his form and Real Madrid move. If his limited role continues, however, the questions in Spain are likely to follow him into his first weeks under Mourinho.

Real Madrid already know they are signing an experienced and highly decorated midfielder. The issue now is whether Mourinho can give Silva the influence he enjoyed for so many years at Manchester City.

Can José Mourinho get the best version of Bernardo Silva at Real Madrid?