Jorge Mendes Discusses Early Doubts About Bernardo Silva’s Football Career
Jorge Mendes has shared insights about Bernardo Silva’s journey to becoming an elite footballer. At a recent conference, he recounted how several clubs expressed skepticism over the midfielder’s potential, particularly questioning whether his technical ability could outweigh his lack of physical dominance.
Speaking at the Leading the Game conference at the Catholic University in Porto, Mendes discussed the challenges of scouting talent at the youth level, especially when a player’s strengths don’t align with conventional expectations. The Portuguese super-agent reflected on Silva’s early days, indicating that questions about his future were frequent during the early stages of his career.
“Jorge, forget it, you don’t stand a chance; Bernardo Silva will never be a top player – at best, he’ll play in the First or Second Division, perhaps for a team like Paços de Ferreira,” Mendes recalled others telling him about Silva.
Now 32, Silva has proven himself as one of the most skilled Portuguese midfielders of his generation. Following a successful nine-year spell at Manchester City, he joined Real Madrid as a free agent in the summer of 2026. Recently, he has started to thrive under manager José Mourinho.
Mendes recalled that during Silva’s time at Monaco, there were considerations to part ways with him after his first season. Mendes had to step in and convince the chairman to keep Silva on the team. He mentioned that Silva’s possession-based style was initially misunderstood, emphasizing the significance of creating a suitable environment for a player’s development.
“Everyone said no, that he’d gone to Monaco, that they didn’t want to keep him on after the first year; I had to convince the chairman… He was a possession-based player, not the sort who runs all over the place, and that’s also why he went to City, which was the right team for him,” Mendes explained.
Bernardo flourished at Manchester City after making the move from Benfica, becoming integral in their 2016/17 Ligue 1 title-winning season. City signed him in 2017, where his technical skills became essential to Pep Guardiola’s system. Over nearly a decade, he made 460 appearances and scored 76 goals, winning six Premier League titles and a Champions League title along the way.
Silva’s transition to Real Madrid began in June 2026 when he signed a two-year contract. Adjusting to a different tactical setup proved challenging amid stiff competition in the midfield. Nonetheless, his contributions are beginning to shine, with noteworthy performances including his first goal for the club against Leipzig and a significant role in the Clasico victory over Barcelona.
As Silva continues to adapt to his new environment, his early contributions suggest he is starting to carve out a significant role within the team.
