Bernardo Silva has been named the new captain of Portugal following Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement from international football, with head coach Jorge Jesus confirming the decision and ending uncertainty over who would take over the leadership role.

Ronaldo's departure marks the end of an extraordinary period with the national team, where he served as captain for several years and played a major role in some of Portugal's greatest achievements. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward had become the central figure in the country's football history, making the responsibility of replacing him particularly significant.

With the captain's armband now available, Portugal have turned to another experienced member of the squad. According to reports, Bernardo was selected because he has accumulated more international appearances than any other player remaining in the national team setup.

The 32-year-old midfielder has represented Portugal 115 times, making him the most experienced player in the current squad following Ronaldo's departure. Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes is next on the list with 97 appearances, while defender Ruben Dias has earned 84 caps.

Joao Cancelo follows with 77 international appearances, with Ruben Neves completing the group of five most experienced players on 73 caps. Their experience is expected to play an important role in supporting Bernardo as he begins his new responsibilities.

Jesus explained that the national team's approach to selecting captains would remain unchanged. Speaking about the decision, he revealed that Portugal traditionally considers the number of international appearances when determining the order of leadership within the squad.

The manager noted that five players currently lead the remaining squad in terms of appearances and pointed out that all of them had previously played under him at the clubs he managed. He then confirmed that Bernardo was the natural choice because he has the highest number of caps after Ronaldo.

Jesus also identified Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves as members of the team's leadership group. Their experience and familiarity with international football are expected to provide additional support as Portugal adjusts to life without its long-serving captain.

The appointment represents a major achievement in Bernardo's international career. Having become one of Portugal's most important midfielders over the years, he will now have the responsibility of leading the national team through its next phase following the departure of a player widely regarded as one of the greatest in the country's history.

The midfielder is expected to wear the captain's armband in Portugal's upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Wales after being included in the squad for the international break. Those matches will provide his first opportunity to demonstrate his leadership in the new role.

Bernardo's appointment also comes during a period in which his influence at club level is reportedly growing. Real Madrid signed the Portuguese international as a free agent after his contract with Manchester City expired, bringing an experienced and technically gifted midfielder to the Santiago Bernabeu.

His initial period at the Spanish club was not particularly straightforward, as he struggled to secure a regular starting position. Manager Jose Mourinho was reportedly cautious about using him consistently during the early stages of his time in Madrid, leaving questions about how quickly he would become an important part of the team.

However, Bernardo has gradually increased his involvement and begun to make a stronger impression. His performance in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico was particularly noteworthy, providing evidence of his growing importance within the squad.

Since then, the midfielder has continued to feature regularly and has made progress in adapting to his new surroundings. He has recorded 12 appearances across all competitions for Los Blancos, contributing one goal and one assist.

With his responsibilities increasing at both club and international level, Bernardo is entering an important stage of his career. His appointment as Portugal captain gives him an opportunity to establish himself as the leading figure in the national team while continuing to strengthen his position at Real Madrid.