Bernardo Silva injury adds to Jose Mourinho’s midfield concerns at Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho has suffered a double midfield setback after Bernardo Silva was released from Portugal’s training camp following a medical assessment and ruled out of the match against Wales.

The Portuguese Football Federation said Silva had been withdrawn from the squad after its health and performance department decided he was not fit to play.

The news follows Portugal’s heavy 4-1 defeat by Denmark in Braga on Saturday. Silva began that match on the bench before replacing Bruno Fernandes in the 79th minute. Despite playing only a short part of the game, the Portugal captain scored his side’s only goal in stoppage time.

Silva remained on the pitch after the final whistle and completed some individual exercises, apparently to assess his physical condition. A medical examination several hours later confirmed that he could not continue with the squad.

He will return to Real Madrid, where the club will assess the seriousness of the problem. Portugal are scheduled to face Wales on 17 November 2026, while Real Madrid are due to play Celta Vigo in La Liga on 21 November 2026.

Silva’s absence is another blow for Mourinho, who has made the former Manchester City player an important part of Real Madrid’s midfield.

The Portugal international secured a place in the starting line-up after Mourinho’s tactical approach produced a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico. Silva’s partnership with Aurelien Tchouameni in a double-pivot midfield helped Real Madrid limit Barcelona’s threat through the centre, close the spaces between the lines and increase the intensity of their pressing.

That strategy made it more difficult for Hans Flick’s players to move the ball, and Mourinho opted to continue with the system. Silva started each of Real Madrid’s next three matches, all of which ended in victory.

Those results gave Real Madrid a perfect run of wins and sent them into the international break on an eight-match winning streak in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

However, Silva is not the only Real Madrid midfielder to have raised concerns during the current international window. Tchouameni also left the France camp after being unable to complete training last Tuesday because of pain in his right adductor muscle.

That is the same area which had previously caused him problems during the World Cup held last summer.

Mourinho therefore faces the prospect of losing both players who have provided balance and defensive solidity in his midfield, with Silva and Tchouameni returning from their respective international camps carrying fitness concerns.

Sport described the situation as “a double blow for the Portuguese manager, who found in the Bernardo Silva and Tchouameni partnership one of the secrets behind Real Madrid’s good recent form, but must now await further updates on the players’ physical condition before competitive football resumes.”