LifeBogger presents the Full Story of a Football Genius best known by the Nickname; ‘Little Messi’.
Our version of Bernardo Silva’s Biography and Childhood Story brings you a full account of notable events from his childhood time to date.
The analysis involves his life story before fame, his parents (Mota Veiga Silva and Maria João Silva), family life and many OFF and ON-Pitch little-known facts about him.
Yes, everyone knows about Bernardo Silva’s advanced playmaking abilities with Guardiola‘s Man City and Fernando Santos‘ Portugal team. However, not many fans have read about Bernardo’s life outside the pitch, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let us begin.
Bernardo Silva Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, Bernardo Mota Veiga de Carvalho e Silva was born on the 10th of August, 1994, in Lisbon, Portugal, to Mota Veiga Silva (father) and Maria João Silva (mother).
As a young boy, he grew up supporting Benfica. He was a bright young thing with a high IQ. His attitude and hard work were the criterion for where he is today in the football world.
He started his football career as an eight years old and eventually progressed through the youth system before he made his debut for Benfica B in the second tier of Portuguese football in 2013.
Bernardo was Nicknamed ‘Messizinho’ and ‘Little Messi’ because of his immense talent.
Bernardo Silva Biography – Jorge Mendes is his Agent:
The Baller is a client of the globally renowned Jorge Paulo Agostinho Mendes.
Mendes is among the most influential football agents in the world, with clients including Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea, Diego Costa, James Rodríguez, Marcos Rojo and José Mourinho. He is often referred to as a “super-agent”.
He has been named Best Agent of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards six consecutive times, from 2010 to 2015.
Mendes began as a footballer but was forced to abandon his hopes of a professional career after being rejected by a number of Portuguese clubs when he was in his early 20s.
Instead, he ran a video rental store, worked as a DJ and opened a bar and nightclub in Caminha, a municipality in northwest of Portugal.
Many believed the playmaker would join Manchester United when he left Monaco due to the links with super-agent Jorge Mendes – who has manager Jose Mourinho as one of his clients.
Guardiola won the battle for someone who impressed him during Monaco’s 5-3 loss in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final clash.
Bernardo Silva Biography – Once a Left Over:
Jorge Jesus of Benfica achieved great things at his club. But to this day, the club’s fans remain critical about his lack of faith in homegrown talents, with Bernardo Silva inevitably cited as the best example.
He never believed in the young playmaker. For a season, Jorge Jesus allowed Bernardo to play just 31 minutes over three matches for Benfica’s first team.
Bernardo Silva himself recently admitted that under Jesus, he had ‘no hope of cracking Benfica’s senior side’, saying: “When Jorge put me training at left-back at Benfica, I realised I had no future at the club.”
Benfica was a club Bernardo held dear to his heart. So dear to his heart that he has their motto, ‘E Pluribus Unum’ tattooed on his left arm. His dreams with them were shattered by Jorge Jesus.
Bernardo Silva Biography – Similar Names, Similar Type of Player, Good Friends:
The playmaker observed upon his arrival at City that he won’t be the only Silva on the teamsheet.
Both became best friends upon noticing they share similar names and personalities and traits on the pitch.
They both have a cultured left foot, an eye for the pass, a low centre of gravity and a dribbling ability that has haunted opposition defences.
Bernardo Silva Biography Facts – Sleepy and Intelligence Trait:
Bernardo Silva spends time lying on the floor with his eyes closed for about an hour after every training exercise.
He is enhancing his thinking abilities and is responsible for his intelligence on the pitch. This makes him one of the most intelligent footballers in the world.
His intelligence is also seen in his thoughtful and well-worded responses to journalists.
Bernardo Silva has shown his fellow city teammates his ability to adapt to a new country, new language and new culture.
He is used to football migration. Settling quickly in France at such an early age only helped him develop as a person.
Luckily he learnt the English Language before he dreamt of coming to England. Bernardo is intelligent, and his sleepy nature after training gives him the ability to think of his needs and, thus, “Make hay while the sun shines“.
League 1 Player of the Year 2016-2017 Season:
It should have been Silva. As opposed to Edinson Cavani, who picked up the title of Ligue 1 Player of the Year. But given that Monaco had so many stars, their vote was likely to split. This is an insight from Goal.
Of all the dazzling performers on France’s south coast that season, Silva was the most consistent. For the duration of the campaign.
His former team-mate Fabinho confessed in February 2017:
“He’s maybe the most important member of the team. Compared to predators like Radamel Falcao and Kylian Mbappe, his contribution could be easily overlooked.
After all, he is not a player with staggering numbers.
Equally, he does not provide the swagger, explosiveness or power just like Benjamin Mendy or Tiemoue Bakayoko. When I arrived in Monaco in 2014, I didn’t know it was going to go like this.
Indeed, he arrived as an unknown in France. I was surprised they signed him after only one match with Benfica’s senior squad. Today, he has become something else.
He is Forever Grateful to Jardim:
Bernardo Silva has admitted that he owes much to Leonardo Jardim, who is more like a father to him than a former coach.
In his words…“Personally, Jardim has given me a lot,” Bernardo Silva confirms. “He works well with young players.
He saw I was young and gave me the opportunity. In my head, I felt different. I’ve improved within just three months of joining the French club.”
Jardim loved him so much that he made him a traditional number 10 in the club. This came after he first offered him the number 15 shirt.
The reason is that he admired his sweet left foot, his movement and his dribbling skills. Bernardo made 132 appearances for Monaco, helping the Club to a Ligue 1 title in 2016/17.
Hale Hendrix
Hi there! I am Hale Hendrix, a passionate football enthusiast and writer dedicated to uncovering the untold stories of footballers' childhood and biography. With a deep love for the beautiful game, I have spent countless hours researching and interviewing players to bring to light the lesser-known details of their lives.
