Nuno Gomes, a former Benfica striker and now part of João Noronha Lopes’ presidential team, has commented on the plan to bring Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva back to Lisbon.
In an interview with [**Record**](https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-betclic/benfica/detalhe/nuno-gomes-faremos-todos-os-esforcos-por-bernardo-silva), the vice-presidential candidate said the group will make every effort to sign the City midfielder. However, he avoided making any guarantees.
More cautious tone than Noronha Lopes
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His careful tone contrasts with [**João Noronha Lopes**](https://sportwitness.co.uk/we-will-make-it-happen-cockiness-over-signing-manchester-city-player-gets-bigger/), who has repeatedly said that Bernardo Silva’s return is guaranteed if he wins the Benfica elections.
The presidential hopeful has spoken with confidence and even revealed that a contract is ready. Nuno Gomes, meanwhile, chose a more measured approach.
_“There isn’t much more to add. We are ready to do everything so that he can return next season,”_ he said when asked about the reported contract for the Manchester City star.
Avoiding big promises on Manchester City star
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When pressed on whether the goal could be guaranteed, Nuno Gomes avoided bold promises. _“I can’t promise that. If I did, I’d be using Bernardo as an electoral banner without much substance. But we will fight, with every effort,”_ he told Record.
The interviewer also mentioned Bernardo Silva’s close relationship with both Nuno Gomes and João Noronha Lopes. When asked if there are presidents under whom the player would refuse to return, the Benfica legend admitted that this might be the case.
_“I believe so, that he wouldn’t come back with just any president. It’s an opinion. I don’t speak for Bernardo, I can’t read his mind, but that’s the feeling I have,”_ he explained.
Subtle message inside the campaign
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When pushed further on who that might be, Gomes smiled and replied: _“Everyone is capable of answering that question in the same way.”_
The interview offers a more grounded view of the “Bernardo Silva project” within Noronha Lopes’ campaign. It shows that while the presidential candidate presents the midfielder’s return as a promise, his vice-president sees the practical challenges of making it happen.
Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva remains focused on Manchester City. His contract with Pep Guardiola’s team runs until June 2026.
The debate in Lisbon, however, keeps growing. It is now driven by two very different tones inside the same campaign. One ambitious, the other cautious.