Fabio Silva Calls Training With Ronaldo “a Pleasure” Amid Portugal Recall

Twenty-four-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker Fabio Silva has rejoined the Portugal national team following a two-year absence from international duty. He described the recall as a pivotal moment in his development and emphasized his eagerness to absorb tactical instruction from newly appointed head coach Jorge Jesus.

Learning from Ronaldo, not competing with him

Silva directly addressed speculation about positional rivalry with captain Cristiano Ronaldo, rejecting the framing entirely. “No, I think it's more of a pleasure to be here and learn from him,” he stated. “He's an idol, I've always been inspired by him and I wanted to have these opportunities to be with him. I'm going to try to learn from him, to know what I can improve. Everyone knows his worth and it's an honor to be here with him.”

He identified Ronaldo’s movement patterns and elite mindset as central areas for personal growth during camp, underscoring that proximity to the legend represents mentorship—not competition.

Jorge Jesus’ influence and tactical fit at Dortmund

Silva highlighted the intensity and substance of Jesus’ tactical meetings, noting the manager’s established record of player development. He observed that his own role at Dortmund—operating fluidly alongside target man Serhou Guirassy—aligns closely with Jesus’ preferred attacking structure.

“I had never worked with Jorge Jesus before, but I don't need to tell you about the great things he's done,” Silva explained. “I want to learn a lot from him; all the players have always improved with him. The coach really likes these aspects, he understands a lot, you can see why he is where he is. It's about listening and doing.”

He also acknowledged a personal regret tied to his early departure from FC Porto, his boyhood club.

Youth pathway and squad integration

Having represented Portugal at every youth level, Silva credited Under-21 manager Rui Jorge and the Portuguese Football Federation for building a structured progression system for emerging talent. He advised young players to prioritize consistent club performance while trusting the federation’s developmental framework.

Reunited with former teammates Francisco Conceicao and Pedro Neto, Silva noted their pre-existing on-field chemistry. Portugal now aims to integrate Silva into its attacking setup across upcoming international fixtures.