The Benfica Dream Comes Alive

In Lisbon, the hope is alive again: Bernardo Silva could return to Benfica, the club that shaped his footballing soul. The Manchester City midfielder, whose contract runs until 2025, has become a top target for the Portuguese giants, who want to see him wear the red shirt once more before he retires.

In an interview with Récord, former Benfica striker and club legend Nuno Gomes confirmed that the dream is real. “We’re ready to talk to him, and we’ll do everything possible to bring him back to Benfica at the end of the season,” he declared — words that instantly set hearts racing among fans of the Águias.

The Return of a Beloved Son

Now 31, Bernardo Silva played only three official matches for Benfica before leaving for Monaco in 2015. Since then, his rise has been meteoric: he became one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted players at Manchester City, winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and the long-awaited Champions League.

Still, his connection to home has never disappeared. “I can’t guarantee that Bernardo will be a Benfica player next season,” Nuno Gomes admitted, “but I can promise we’ll do everything we can to make it happen.” For Benfica, it’s more than a transfer — it’s a reunion with one of its most talented sons.

Guardiola Won’t Let Go Easily

In Manchester, though, Pep Guardiola sees things differently. The Spanish coach named Bernardo one of City’s captains this season and continues to describe him as “irreplaceable.” The Portuguese playmaker has already featured in nine matches this campaign, missing only one due to squad rotation.

“For the first time in my career, I decided on my own,” Guardiola said when announcing his new captains — a reflection of the immense trust he places in the player. Yet, if the day comes when Silva chooses to return to his roots, Lisbon will welcome him with open arms.

Benfica’s dream may still be distant, but as football has shown time and time again, the most emotional comebacks are the ones that once seemed impossible.