Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva could join Benfica in 2026, his boyhood club, according to comments from a Portuguese presidential candidate. The Portugal international, whose contract with City runs until June, is reportedly already planning his next move — a decision that may see him reunite with one of football’s most iconic figures, José Mourinho.
Bernardo Silva has long been one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenants, a player whose intelligence, creativity, and relentless work rate have embodied Manchester City’s success over recent years.
Despite transfer speculation during the last window, Guardiola put an end to rumours by naming Silva as club captain — the first captain personally appointed by the Spaniard in his entire coaching career, having previously allowed players to vote for their leaders.
So far this season, Silva has contributed one assist in nine appearances but is yet to find the back of the net. His focus remains on helping City reclaim their dominance after what was a rare disappointment in the 2024–25 campaign, when the Sky Blues finished third and ended the season without a major trophy.
However, questions continue to surround his long-term future at the Etihad. Silva’s contract is set to expire in June 2026, and both parties will soon have to decide whether to extend the partnership or go their separate ways.
In a recent interview, the 30-year-old midfielder revealed that he already knows what lies ahead. “I know exactly what I’m going to do next season,” Silva said, though he declined to share any further details publicly.
That revelation has fuelled speculation in Portugal that Bernardo Silva could join Benfica, the club where his journey began. Joao Noronha Lopes, who is running for the Benfica presidency, has added significant weight to those rumours.
Speaking to O Jogo, Lopes claimed: “He is a great player, one of Benfica’s biggest talents, and he wants to come. He has a contract with Manchester City, and he will be free to sign for another club in January.”
The Portuguese star’s deep affection for Benfica is no secret. Born in Lisbon, Silva rose through the club’s academy ranks and made his senior debut in 2013. Yet, his opportunities were limited — just three first-team appearances — before a loan move to AS Monaco in 2014 turned permanent.
From there, Silva’s career took off, culminating in his transfer to Manchester City in 2017, where he has since become one of the Premier League’s most technically gifted playmakers.
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For Silva, the idea of returning home and leading Benfica to new heights is said to be deeply appealing. The club has long held a special place in his heart, and a homecoming at the peak of his powers would undoubtedly thrill supporters in Lisbon. But his potential return could also carry a dramatic twist — one involving an old rival of his current manager.
A Potential Reunion with Mourinho at Benfica
Should Silva decide to return to Benfica, he could find himself playing under José Mourinho, who was appointed as the club’s manager in September. The appointment marked Mourinho’s first return to Portuguese football in decades, and the idea of Silva linking up with the legendary coach is already stirring excitement and debate in equal measure.
Lopes, who has made Mourinho’s leadership a cornerstone of his presidential campaign, was clear in his admiration for the veteran tactician. “José Mourinho is a great coach. He will be my coach,” Lopes said. “I have a structure that will create all the conditions for him to become champion.”
Such a move would be rich in symbolism — and irony. Pep Guardiola and Mourinho have spent years on opposite sides of football’s most famous tactical rivalry, first in Spain with Barcelona and Real Madrid, and later in England with Manchester City and Manchester United.
For Silva, a player who has thrived under Guardiola’s free-flowing, possession-based system, adapting to Mourinho’s more pragmatic, defensively disciplined style would represent an intriguing shift.
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Yet, Silva’s intelligence and tactical versatility might make him perfectly suited for such a transition. At City, he has operated in multiple roles — from winger to central midfielder and even as a false nine — often dictating the tempo and linking play between defence and attack. Those same qualities could make him invaluable in a Mourinho-led Benfica side seeking to dominate domestically and compete in Europe.
As the January window approaches, Silva will be eligible to negotiate with clubs outside England should he choose not to renew his deal with Manchester City. That timeline aligns neatly with Lopes’ suggestion that Benfica could move to secure his signature as early as the start of 2026.
