**Real Madrid have already agreed a deal Bernardo Silva from [Manchester City](https://sportwitness.co.uk/manchester-city), but the mood in Spain is already a little uneasy after his World Cup performances with Portugal.**
The Portuguese midfielder is joining the Spanish club as a free agent after leaving Manchester City. The deal was seen as a major coup, especially with José Mourinho pushing for the move.
Yet **[Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-madrid/20260703/1004202559/bernardo-silva-desaparece-mapa.html?facet=amp)** now suggest the tournament has raised some early questions.
The Spanish newspaper says Bernardo Silva has “disappeared from the map” during the World Cup. That is a striking line for a player who was expected to be one of Portugal’s leaders.
**World Cup concern**
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Bernardo Silva started Portugal’s opening match against DR Congo, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Since then, his role has shrunk.
Mundo Deportivo point out that he then started on the bench and even failed to get minutes in the important group-stage match against Colombia.
He later returned against Croatia in the round of 32, but only for 28 minutes. The newspaper says he failed to stand out in that appearance.
Their conclusion is clear. Bernardo Silva no longer appears to be a guaranteed starter for Roberto Martínez. The report places him behind Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto and João Félix in Portugal’s current attacking hierarchy.
**Real Madrid’s immediate question**
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Bernardo Silva’s move to Real Madrid was agreed before the World Cup began. At that stage, the expectation was different. Mundo Deportivo explain that he was expected to be a protagonist for Portugal, one of the favourites for the tournament.
Instead, he has lost prominence. And that creates a delicate early question for Real Madrid. Have they signed a player still ready to lead at the highest level, or one already moving away from his peak years?
That concern is understandable of course. Bernardo Silva was a hugely important player for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. His intelligence, movement and control made him one of Guardiola’s most trusted options.
Mundo Deportivo ask whether Mourinho can restore the kind of role Silva had at Manchester City. The midfielder is 31 and remains technically gifted. Still, his World Cup has not helped the optics of the deal.
For Manchester City, this underlines the perfect timing of his exit. They are losing a player who served them brilliantly, but Spain is already wondering whether Real Madrid are receiving the same version.