Bernardo Silva on Ronaldo's retirement: "Of course, it's a sad moment"

Bernardo Silva has described Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement from international football as "a sad moment" but said he is excited by the responsibility of being the new captain of the Portugal national team.

Ronaldo announced last week that he had retired from international football, following a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus during the last international break and his departure from the camp after just one match. Jesus has handed the captaincy to Bernardo Silva. Portugal will play their first match without Ronaldo on Saturday, against Denmark in the Nations League. A tribute ceremony will also be held at the Estádio Municipal de Braga to honour Ronaldo's record-filled international career.

Portugal have won all four of their matches to secure a place in the quarter-finals, and Silva wants that success to continue in Ronaldo's absence. Silva said:

"I think it's a natural process. I had the pleasure of playing with Cristiano here in the national team for 12 years. He was always our captain.

"It's the older and more experienced players who have the responsibility of helping the younger ones maintain commitment and work ethic in the dressing room.

"I was able to represent the national team for many years; I know what it takes to win and be successful, and I will, with great pride, try to perform that role in the best way possible.

"As for my attitude, it will be the same as always, but now with more experience. I've had the pleasure of being captain before, and I know that this job is not the responsibility of just one person, but of all the more experienced players.

"We have to try to maintain competitiveness, always with respect. This balance between competing and respecting each other is not easy, but this group is fantastic. We are a family here, and I am sure things will go well.

"Of course, it's a sad moment. I only know the national team with Cristiano. This day was bound to come. It was an honour and a pride to have shared the dressing room with him, and now it's about continuing this path of success with the national team."

Portugal will guarantee top spot in Group A4 if they avoid defeat against Denmark on Saturday. They won the first meeting in October 4-2 thanks to goals from João Cancelo, Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha and João Félix, and head coach Jorge Jesus's squad includes six uncapped players.

Jesus, who said he is looking to the future but that his focus is not on handing players their first caps, said: "Look, when choosing players, I don't consider that detail. I look for the player most capable of performing the role I want, based on their position. It's not difficult to see that, compared to the last few games, we have one full-back suspended and another injured [João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes]. Two players will necessarily have to come in. It's possible that one of them hasn't played yet. But I'll only say an hour before the game, after speaking with the players."