In recent days, the world of football has been rocked by the news that nobody wanted to hear: Cristiano Ronaldo’s permanent retirement from the Portuguese national team.

The departure of the Seleção’s all-time top scorer and icon has left a gaping wound and a lingering question: who will inherit the captain’s armband?

Speculation was quick to circulate, but Portugal avoided any internal debate and cleared up the mystery straight away.

The decision has been made and the armband already has a new owner: Bernardo Silva.

The credentials of Portugal’s new captain

To succeed Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal’s captain requires credentials that very few footballers can boast.

In this regard, Bernardo Silva boasts an unrivalled track record within the dressing room: more than 20 official titles as a professional and a significant presence in the history of the Ballon d'Or.

To put his status into perspective, the current Real Madrid midfielder has been nominated three times for the most prestigious individual award on the planet.

Alongside Rúben Dias and Vitinha, he is the player in the squad with the most appearances at the ceremony:

Bernardo Silva’s Ballon d'Or history:

  • 2019: 9th place

  • 2022: 22nd place

  • 2023: 9th place

Having finished twice in the select top 10 of the Ballon d'Or gives him undisputed authority within the squad and against opponents.

With a golden past at Manchester City, Bernardo Silva is synonymous with leadership, experience and stature. A captain who is up to the challenge.

A winning DNA alongside Cristiano

Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo is also part of the most successful era in the history of the Portugal national team.

The 32-year-old midfielder partnered CR7 in the backbone of the team that won both editions of the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

Today, firmly established at Real Madrid and with just the right maturity to handle the pressure, Bernardo will take full command on the pitch.

The wound caused by the departure of the legendary ‘No. 7’ will take time to heal, but with Bernardo Silva at the helm, Portugal’s new era begins in the hands of a talent ready for the occasion.