AS: Mourinho's call convinced Bernardo Silva to join Real Madrid; he completed medical in Portugal

On June 17, Real Madrid officially announced the signing of Bernardo Silva. Subsequently, "AS" published an article analyzing the inside story.

It is reported that Mourinho convinced Bernardo Silva to join with one phone call, dashing the hopes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. He signed a two-year contract with Real Madrid, until he is almost 34 years old. Age is just a number; what matters is his ability.

At the end of April, he was recommended to Real Madrid. Considering that the transfer market was still in its early stages and offers were not common before finalization, the deal did not cause much stir, but he did make it onto the shortlist.

When the news of his desire to join Real Madrid broke, his name began to attract attention, which intensified the transfer market fever in Madrid and across the Iberian Peninsula, as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were also in the running.

On May 24, he bid farewell to Manchester City and began considering offers from other teams. Barcelona was the frontrunner, and he reached an agreement with Barcelona at the end of May. However, just then, the phone rang. On June 6, Mourinho inquired about his transfer intentions with Real Madrid.

Subsequently, he was added to Real Madrid's official transfer list. Given Mourinho's influence in this transfer window, this was no small matter. On June 10, Bernardo Silva expressed doubts about his future, and these rumors reached the Real Madrid management.

In just 48 hours, everything changed. On June 11, Real Madrid signing Bernardo Silva was no longer a wish, no longer a possibility, and no longer even room for negotiation; he had to be signed. Mourinho personally called Bernardo Silva, expressing his strong determination to sign him.

This made the player feel firsthand that the deal was personally pushed by Mourinho, and it was his personal decision. Bernardo Silva made his choice: to join Real Madrid. That afternoon, the deal was completed in just a few hours.

Bernardo Silva underwent a medical examination during his time with the Portuguese national team. Although completing a transfer during a competition is not common, it is actually a common practice—for example, Cucurella also did this—but time was short, and neither party could delay.

Soon to be 32, he has signed a two-year contract until 2028. He will officially be unveiled in July, when all other new signings, including Mourinho, will also be presented.