Jorge Mendes recalls clubs doubting Real Madrid summer signing before his rise to the top: ‘Will never be a top player…’

Jorge Mendes recalls clubs doubting Real Madrid summer signing before his rise to the top: ‘Will never be a top player…’ Jorge Mendes has revealed that Bernardo Silva was once considered unlikely to become an elite footballer, with several clubs questioning whether his technical qualities could compensate for his lack of physical dominance.  The Portuguese super-agent recalled the doubts surrounding the midfielder’s development while explaining how he helped guide his career towards Monaco and eventually Manchester City. Speaking at the Leading the Game conference at the Catholic University in Porto, Mendes discussed several players he has represented, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Bernardo.  His account offered an insight into the challenges of identifying talent at youth level, particularly when a player’s strengths do not fit the traditional expectations of football scouts. Bernardo, now 32, has since established himself as one of the most accomplished Portuguese midfielders of his generation.  After nine successful seasons at Manchester City, he joined Real Madrid as a free agent in the summer of 2026 and has recently begun making a stronger impression under Jose Mourinho . Mendes recalls the doubts surrounding Bernardo Silva Mendes explained that he repeatedly encountered people who believed Bernardo would struggle to make an impact in professional football.  “I was told several times: ‘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’.” The agent used the midfielder’s early experiences to illustrate how assessments of young players can be influenced by physical attributes rather than their technical understanding of the game. Bernardo Silva had to find the right environment for him. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) “So it’s all very subjective, even more so when players are in the youth academy, because some clubs prioritise players who are physically stronger.” The most revealing part of Mendes’ account concerns Bernardo’s time at Monaco.  According to the agent, the club initially considered moving on from the midfielder after his first season, forcing him to intervene and convince the chairman to retain the player. “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. “And then it became clear that we were also dealing with one of the best players in the history of Portuguese football,” he recalled. Manchester City provided the perfect environment for Bernardo Bernardo’s subsequent development showed the value of the technical profile that had initially raised doubts.  After joining Monaco from Benfica, he became a central figure in their 2016/17 Ligue 1 title-winning campaign, attracting interest from several leading European clubs. Bernardo Silva has grown into his role at Real Madrid. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images) Manchester City secured his signature in 2017, bringing him into an environment where his capabilities became important components of Pep Guardiola’s tactical approach. Over nine seasons, Bernardo made 460 appearances and scored 76 goals for City.  He won six Premier League titles and the Champions League, among other honours, while establishing himself as one of Guardiola’s most versatile midfielders. Bernardo Silva begins to make his mark at Real Madrid Bernardo’s next challenge arrived in June 2026, when Real Madrid confirmed his signing on a two-year contract following the expiration of his Manchester City deal.  The move brought him to the Santiago Bernabeu under Mourinho, offering a new tactical environment after nearly a decade working with Guardiola. His initial adaptation was not entirely straightforward, as competition for midfield places and changes in Mourinho’s preferred combinations limited his involvement during parts of the opening campaign. However, there have been encouraging signs. Bernardo scored his first goal for Real Madrid against Leipzig, playing the entire match as the Spanish side secured victory.  He subsequently featured for 80 minutes in the 2-1 Clasico win over Barcelona on October 25, and those performances provide a more concrete indication of his growing involvement.  Source: AS