Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo has refused to rule out a possible return to Benfica in future after leaving the Portuguese side this summer.
O Jogo have an interview with the 22-year-old today in which he was keen to point out his happiness at Celtic despite a desire to return to Benfica someday.
Bernardo was one of several incoming Celtic signings this summer to bolster Brendan Rodgers’ squad in the transfer window.
He was making his loan move at the Scottish club a permanent one after originally joining them from Benfica in September 2023.
The move to Scotland was the first in his career to take him outside of Portugal, where he had worked his way up through the Benfica youth ranks and also had a loan spell at Paços Ferreira.
He’s been a regular for Celtic since, making 43 appearances in total to date, with six goals and four assists to his name.
Bernardo is more than happy with life at Celtic Park and insists his focus is fully on this season and nothing more.
“I’m doing well at Celtic, I want to have a good season,” he said.
“I signed a five-year contract, I’m focused there and I’m not thinking about the future, but about having a great season, other opportunities coming up and maybe moving to other areas, but at the moment I’m focused on having a good season and I’m happy with my decision.”
But if there were a future road that could take him back to Benfica, the club that made up the entirety of his early career? He admits he’d have to think about it.
“My dream has always been to play for Benfica, and I think the door is still open. For me it is still open and if one day I return I will be very happy,” he added.
