As Manchester City star Bernardo Silva was named as A Bola’s Figure of the Year, the outlet today features countless stories about the 29-year-old.
The long interview with the player included questions about his early days, his success under Pep Guardiola and, of course, his future.
Bernardo Silva never hid his love for Benfica and often suggests he’ll return to the club someday, and people in Lisbon are starting to wonder when that comeback will happen.
The Manchester City player continues to admit that the move may be on the way, although it won’t take place so soon.
“I’ve never hidden the fact that one day I want to return, so of course I do. Now, we’ll see over time what’s possible and there’s no point in talking about it all the time, because people get tired of it. We’ll see.”
“Yes, you talk more and more and it gets a bit repetitive. I realise that people get tired too. But since I get asked this question so often, I’m not going to lie. I always say: it’s a reality that I want to return to and I hope that one day it can happen.”
The midfielder highlighted that he has big respect for his commitment with Manchester City, and even said he could be a little expensive for Benfica at this stage.
“They can, but there are contractual issues that have to be respected and… you have to live with the reality that Portuguese football financially can’t compete with English, Spanish or even German and French clubs. For example, even if I wanted to go to Benfica at the moment it would be totally impossible because Manchester City are asking a lot of money for a transfer for me. In the last four or five years I’ve been a player valued at over €50m and it’s impossible for a Portuguese club to pay that kind of money. People have to be a bit realistic.”
At the end, he admitted that only the end of his contract with Manchester City would make the operation possible for the Eagles.
“It would have to be. I think so, of course.”
Bernardo Silva last signed a contract extension with Manchester City in August this year. He’s now committed to Pep Guardiola’s side until 2026.
