Bernardo Silva at the Center of Benfica’s Presidential Campaign
In a twist that combines sports and politics, Bernardo Silva, the captain of Manchester City, finds himself at the center of an electoral campaign at Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. As Benfica prepares for its presidential elections on October 25, João Noronha Lopes, a candidate for the top position, has publicly expressed his desire to bring Silva back to the club where he began his career.
Noronha Lopes stated in a conversation with A Bola, a leading Portuguese sports publication, that he has a “contract waiting” for the 31-year-old midfielder, highlighting Silva’s connection to the club and his devoted fanhood.
Silva’s Career Journey
Silva’s career saw him emerge from Benfica’s youth ranks before departing for Monaco in 2015, then moving to Manchester City two years later, where he became a key player under manager Pep Guardiola and captained the team this past summer. Currently, Silva is in the final year of his City contract, and Lopes insists he is eager to recruit him as soon as January.
The presidential hopeful emphasized Silva’s embodiment of Benfica’s values, including a commitment to victory and a deep-seated affinity for the club.
Current Manager’s Comments
Meanwhile, Bruno Lage, the current manager of Benfica, has commented on the possibility of Silva’s return, suggesting that regardless of the election outcome, Silva is destined to rejoin the club.
“I can’t get into the political aspect of this issue, but I have confidence that Bernardo will become a Benfica player soon, though I can’t specify the timing,” Lage remarked during a press conference.
Significance of Silva’s Potential Return
With Silva’s impressive statistics of 269 league matches and 43 goals for City, along with having earned over a century of caps for Portugal, his potential return to Benfica has sparked significant interest.
Other presidential candidates, such as Cristóvão Carvalho, have proposed high-profile moves, suggesting former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp as a potential coach if he were to assume the presidency of Benfica. Carvalho stressed the necessity for a top-tier coach who has experienced Champions League triumphs to lead the club to future successes.
Election Landscape
The election landscape includes several candidates, including João Diogo Manteigas, Luís Filipe Vieira, Martim Borges Coutinho Mayer, Paulo Parreira, and incumbent president Rui Costa.
