Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva has been named the new captain of the national football team following Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement from international football.
The appointment was confirmed by Portugal coach Jorge Jesus on Friday, November 6, 2026, while announcing his 28-man squad for the country’s upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales.
Silva, 32, takes over the captaincy after Ronaldo announced his retirement on Thursday, November 5, bringing an end to his 23-year international career.
According to reports, the decision was based on the number of international appearances, with Silva having earned 115 caps for Portugal.
Speaking at a press conference, Jesus explained that the national team’s established system of selecting captains based on international appearances would remain unchanged.
He named Silva as the most experienced player following Ronaldo’s departure, with Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves and Bruno Fernandes also forming part of the team’s leadership group.
The coach praised Silva’s experience, quality and current form at Real Madrid, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the national team.
Silva made his senior international debut in 2015 and has scored 14 goals for Portugal. He was also part of the squad that won the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Following Ronaldo’s retirement announcement, Silva paid tribute to his former captain, describing it as a privilege to have played alongside him for many years.
Ronaldo ended his international career with a record 234 appearances and 146 goals for Portugal, making him the highest-scoring player in men’s international football history.
He also captained the country to its first European Championship title in 2016 and two Nations League triumphs.
