Bernardo Silva loses his place in Portugal.

Bernardo Silva, once a familiar choice for the Portuguese national team, has become a "tactical victim" in Roberto Martinez's system at the 2026 World Cup.

Bernardo Silva is no longer a guaranteed first-choice option in the Portuguese squad for the 2026 World Cup .

Bernardo Silva used to be one of the almost default names in the Portuguese national team. In the 20 matches he's been called up for since Euro 2024, he's started 14 times. But at the 2026 World Cup, that status is rapidly changing.

Silva started the opening match, before being substituted by Roberto Martinez after 45 minutes. Since then, the Real Madrid newcomer has not appeared in the starting lineup. In the draw against Colombia, he didn't even play a single minute.

Silva's problem isn't simply about his form. It stems from the way Portugal is operating. Martinez prioritizes the midfield trio of Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Bruno Fernandes . In that system, Bernardo doesn't have much room to play in his preferred position.

The 31-year-old player himself understands the situation. “Of course, I’m better suited to central positions, but I’m here to help the team,” Silva said before the match against Croatia in the round of 16. He avoided any controversy, asserting that the personnel selection rests with the coach.

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That attitude showed the professionalism of an experienced player. Silva said he was ready to help the team even if it was just for 5 minutes or contribute in the dressing room. But behind that calmness lies an undeniable reality: his role in the Portuguese national team has shrunk.

Roberto Martinez faces a difficult dilemma as Bernardo Silva is no longer a perfect fit for the current system.

Silva is no longer the true winger he was during his time at Monaco or his early years at Man City. He has gradually lost his explosiveness, speed, and dribbling ability on the flanks. Instead, Silva is increasingly resembling a playmaker, skilled at controlling the tempo, rarely losing possession, and strong in central midfield play.

The problem is that Portugal already has Vitinha and Joao Neves for that role. If they put Bernardo in midfield, Martinez would have to disrupt the current preferred formation. If they put him on the right wing, Portugal doesn't have the type of winger with the speed and unpredictability that the current system demands.

That's why Silva has been called a "tactical victim." He hasn't exactly declined to the point of losing his place, but he's no longer the ideal fit for the way Portugal wants to play. Martinez's team leans more towards speed, transitions, and directness, while Bernardo needs a more compact team to unleash his playmaking abilities.

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The match against Croatia could present an opportunity for Bernardo. It's likely to be a slower-paced game, suitable for a player who can retain possession and control the tempo. However, his return to the starting lineup remains questionable.

Silva didn't cause any internal turmoil. But that very silence highlighted Martinez's dilemma: where to use a world-class player when the current system no longer truly suits him.

Source: https://znews.vn/bernardo-silva-mat-cho-o-bo-dao-nha-post1665152.html