ไทย
English
中國人
Real Madrid midfielder Bernardo Silva has been ruled out of international duty after Portugal's medical team declared the 32-year-old "unfit" to continue through the November international window.
Silva was among 18 Real Madrid players summoned for the final international break of the calendar year. The ex-Manchester City star linked up with a Portugal squad still coming to terms with the shock retirement of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Seleção das Quinas endured an embarrassing 4–1 loss to Denmark to open the window, a match in which Silva featured for just 11 minutes as a substitute. Despite the brief appearance, the midfielder managed to net his side's only goal — and seemingly picked up a knock in the process.
Less than a day after the match, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) issued a statement that sent shockwaves back to the Spanish capital: "Bernardo Silva underwent a clinical evaluation and was deemed unfit by the Portuguese Football Federation's Health and Performance Directorate, and has also been released."
Silva is now on his way back to Madrid, where he will likely undergo additional assessments. It's the worst possible timing for both player and club, given that the Portugal international had only recently established himself as a key figure in a Real Madrid shirt.
Mourinho's Midfield Suddenly Thinner Than Ever
One glaring area Real Madrid largely neglected last summer was the midfield. The squad was crying out for a deep-lying playmaker, but after Barcelona swooped in to secure Rodri's signature, the club effectively abandoned that pursuit, redirecting its attention toward bolstering the defense and attack.
Silva, who arrived as a free agent following his departure from City, was the sole midfield addition ahead of the 2025–26 season. What made matters worse was how sparingly he was used in the early weeks, especially given how consistently underwhelming the double pivot of Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni had been.
Mourinho eventually placed his trust in the playmaker following the September-October international break, and Los Blancos responded with their finest football of the campaign. Silva seamlessly controls the tempo of play while Tchouaméni operates as a true defensive anchor and Valverde covers the right flank.
Silva started Real Madrid's last five matches, all of which ended in wins, including a crucial 2–1 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou. However, a potential absence could prove costly, particularly with Tchouaméni also returning to Madrid early due to an adductor injury.
With Valverde now Mourinho's preferred right back option, the manager suddenly finds himself with a severely depleted midfield heading into a demanding stretch of fixtures.
Potential Replacements for Silva at Real Madrid
Losing either Silva or Tchouaméni alone would be manageable for Mourinho — but being without both simultaneously is an entirely different challenge.
The Portuguese manager may be compelled to shift Valverde back to his natural midfield role, handing the right flank duties to either Denzel Dumfries or Trent Alexander-Arnold. It seems like a simple fix on paper, but Real Madrid function at a significantly higher level when their captain is deployed at right back.
Another viable option is Eduardo Camavinga. The Frenchman is gradually rediscovering his top form after a difficult 2025–26 campaign saw him fall behind Real Madrid Castilla graduate Thiago Pitarch in the pecking order.
Pitarch, who made his long-awaited season debut in the team's 3–0 triumph over Valencia before the break, could be handed more responsibility if both Silva and Tchouaméni require extended spells on the sidelines. The midfielder rose rapidly through the ranks under former head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, though a preseason injury delayed his involvement until mid-September.
Mourinho may also consider turning to Arda Güler. While the Türkiye international has shone brightest on the right wing, he is more than capable of operating in a deeper, more disciplined role given his outstanding vision and passing ability.
The concern is that Mourinho must now tinker with a starting lineup that had strung together eight consecutive wins across all competitions. There's little question that securing an extra midfielder last summer would have made this double setback far easier to absorb.