Portuguese football star Bernardo Silva has expressed deep respect for Luka Modrić, naming the captain of the Croatian national team as the best player he has ever faced. Silva, a midfielder for Manchester City and Portugal, who is set to leave the English club at the end of the season, highlighted Modrić in an interview with The Athletic.

When asked about the best opponent he has encountered on the field, Silva immediately responded, "Luka Modrić is the best footballer I have ever played against." This accolade holds significant weight given Silva's extensive career, which has seen him compete against numerous football giants, including Lionel Messi and Neymar. Nevertheless, it is Modrić whom the Portuguese player has singled out as the most impressive opponent.

Praise for Modrić

"They are my role models and inspiration because they play in a similar position to me. The consistency they demonstrate is remarkable; they've been doing this for 15 years, and Modrić even longer. They continue to push forward after everything they've achieved, setting an example for children who are just starting to play football on how to behave on the field. Watching the decisions they make, they never think about themselves, but about the team," Silva said in 2024 about Modrić and Toni Kroos.

Silva's Next Move

Silva's next destination remains a mystery. Juventus is reportedly showing strong interest, and a romantic return to his former club Benfica is often mentioned. Silva joined City from Monaco in 2017 for €50 million and has since been a key player in the club's trophy-winning era, including the 2023 Champions League and six Premier League titles.

This season, the 31-year-old has started 47 matches in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing five assists. He would like to leave the club with two more trophies. City has already secured the EFL Cup and leads the race for the league title ahead of Arsenal, though the league leaders temporarily took the lead with a 1-0 win over Newcastle, three points ahead with one fewer game. In the FA Cup, Guardiola's side has reached the final with a 2-1 win over Southampton.

During his time at Manchester City, Silva has played 454 matches, scoring 76 goals and providing 77 assists.