Bernardo Silva was formally introduced as a Actual Madrid participant on Wednesday, greater than a month after the membership introduced his signing.
The 32-year-old appeared alongside membership president Florentino Pérez on the presentation, with honorary president Pirri and members of Bernardo’s household additionally in attendance. The Portuguese midfielder has signed a contract with Actual Madrid by way of 2028.
Bernardo has already spent a number of weeks working along with his new teammates and featured throughout preseason, however Wednesday gave him his first alternative to talk at size about becoming a member of the membership.
“Since I used to be little, while you don’t know in case you’re going to be a participant, your dream is to play for Actual Madrid. I’m very comfortable to be right here,” Bernardo stated throughout his presentation.
The previous Manchester Metropolis midfielder is already very conversant in the Santiago Bernabéu from his years competing in opposition to Actual Madrid within the Champions League. Bernardo confronted Madrid on a number of events throughout his time in England, together with a variety of high-profile knockout ties.
This time, nevertheless, he was in a position to expertise the membership’s European historical past from the attitude of a Actual Madrid participant.
“I’ve performed right here a number of occasions already, and seeing the 15 Champions League trophies is at all times spectacular, however seeing them right here as a participant is much more particular. Taking part in for a membership like this isn’t for everybody.”
Bernardo additionally spoke concerning the feeling of arriving at Actual Madrid and experiencing the size of the membership from inside.
“Whenever you’re on this room, you understand how huge Actual Madrid is. I already knew it, however right here you are feeling it firsthand.”
He completed his remarks with a message for Madridistas and made clear that his focus now turns towards including extra silverware to the membership’s assortment.
“I’m very comfortable to be right here and to quickly be taking part in on the Bernabéu and assembly the followers. Now it’s time to work exhausting to maintain profitable titles, which is what this membership is used to.”
Bernardo provides one other choice to Mourinho’s midfield
The presentation formalizes an arrival that has already begun to take form on the pitch. Bernardo featured in three preseason matches for Actual Madrid, accumulating 192 minutes as José Mourinho experimented with how greatest to make use of the Portuguese worldwide.
Slightly than working primarily from the correct wing, the place he spent important stretches earlier in his profession, Bernardo has been used each centrally and additional ahead in midfield. His capability to play a number of roles offers Mourinho one other technical choice between the traces and a participant able to serving to Madrid management possession in midfield.
Sturdiness has additionally been one among Bernardo’s strengths. He missed solely 11 matches by way of damage throughout his 9 seasons in England, an encouraging document for a Actual Madrid squad that handled 54 accidents final season.
Bernardo has already made his aggressive Madrid debut, that includes in opposition to Ferencváros in a 2-1 victory.
He leaves Manchester Metropolis after one of the crucial profitable intervals within the English membership’s historical past. Bernardo made 460 appearances throughout his 9 years in Manchester, scoring 76 objectives and offering 77 assists. His trophy haul included six Premier League titles and the 2022-23 Champions League, the primary European Cup in Manchester Metropolis’s historical past.
His subsequent alternative will come away to Espanyol on the RCDE Stadium within the second spherical of La Liga. Madrid’s postponed opening-round fixture means Bernardo must wait a bit longer for his first league look on the Bernabéu, with Actual Sociedad scheduled to go to subsequent Wednesday.
After weeks of preseason work and his first aggressive minutes, Wednesday’s presentation completes the formalities of Bernardo’s transfer. His consideration now turns totally to his first season in white — and, as he put it, serving to Actual Madrid “preserve profitable titles.”
