Portuguese Wizard Arrives at Real and Bows to the Maestro
Bernardo Silva completed his first training session in Madrid and revealed in an interview with Marca how much he values the Croatian midfielder.
Bernardo Silva completed his first training session in Madrid and revealed in an interview with Marca how much he values the Croatian midfielder.
Bernardo Silva (31) completed his first training session as a new Real Madrid player on Tuesday. The Portuguese arrived as one of the many reinforcements for the royal club this summer, and in an interview with Spain's Marca, he spoke about his arrival, coach Jose Mourinho, and his idols. A special place on that list is held by Croatian captain Luka Modrić.
Silva did not hide his excitement at becoming part of the Madrid giant. "This is a special moment, and I am overjoyed to be here. There's no need to waste words about the club; its history speaks for itself. I look forward to getting to work," the Portuguese told Marca.
He emphasized that he wants to contribute to the team immediately. "I want to help the team continue winning, because that's what this club does best. I'm here to make my contribution and continue the winning streak," he added.
A particularly interesting part of the interview concerned coach Jose Mourinho, with whom he had previously been on opposite sides. "Until now, we've been on opposite sides, and now we're on the same team. Mourinho is a coach who means a lot to Portuguese football. We followed his teams as kids; he always promoted Portugal at the highest level. I'm happy to have the opportunity to work with him and learn from him," Silva said.
He also highlighted his own versatility on the pitch. "I work hard, I always try to make those around me better. I always try to be available in several positions to help the team. I can fit into many places, and I'll be ready for whatever Real Madrid needs," he stated.
When asked about his idols, Silva singled out three greats, including Luka Modrić. "I have several idols. Zidane is definitely one of them, then Rui Costa, because of Benfica and the national team, and Modrić, who is a great role model and example for me on and off the pitch," he revealed.
He added that he considers Zidane one of the five best players of all time. "He played in a similar position to mine, so as a kid I followed his every move and the way he controlled the ball," the Portuguese recalled.
Silva also explained why he didn't hesitate when the call came from Madrid. "When Real Madrid called me, I didn't think twice. After playing against Real so many times, you can only imagine how great it is to be here, how imposing the Bernabéu is," he said.
Proximity to his homeland was an added bonus. "Being close to family, very close to Portugal, in a very similar culture, helps. But the dream of playing for the best club in football history is a privilege," Silva concluded.
