Real Madrid Midfielder Bernardo Silva is the New Portugal Captain

Earlier this week, Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football after 23 years of playing with the Portugal national team.

In that time, Ronaldo defended the Portuguese colours 234 times, scored on 146 occasions, won the Euros in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

Of the 23 years spent with the national team, 19 of those were as the captain of the side, assuming captaincy all the way back in 2007. So, some big shoes to fill for the next skipper of the Selecao.

Well, it looks as if the void is going to be filled by Real Madrid midfielder Bernardo Silva, who has been named the new captain of the Portugal national team in the post Ronaldo era.

Interestingly, during the last break, it was Ruben Dias of Manchester City and Bruno Fernandes (x2) who captained Portugal in the absence of Ronaldo, not Silva— who was on the bench for each game.

So, in a way that makes sense, because you can’t start and be the captain. On the flip side, it is interesting that someone who wasn’t in the starting XI for any of those games would be given the armband. Perhaps he will now play a more prominent role. If he doesn’t, you wonder if Fernandes will continue to lead the team out. But listen, fair play.

Either way, certainly a huge responsibility for the Real Madrid man to assume moving forwards, both on and off of the pitch. Feels pretty fitting that it would be a current Los Blancos player to take over from the bonafide club legend.

The next two games for Portugal are the final games of the Nations League group stage in the forthcoming international break, the final break of 2026, and last until March 2027. Silva's side will face Denmark at home on the 14th at 20:45 CET, and then away to Wales on the 17th, also at 20:45. They have already all but confirmed their spot as group winners, and are already officially in the quarter-finals either as winners or runners up. 

So, to recap - Silva is the new captain of the Portugal national team, the first time the skipper has not been Ronaldo since all the way back in 2007. No doubt that all Real Madrid fans, and Ronaldo himself, wish the midfielder all the very best of luck. Go well.