Versatile, skilful, graceful, lovable and spiky: Bernardo Silva is in a sphere of his own | Simon Hattenstone

Bernardo Silva is portrayed as an extraordinary footballer whose impact goes beyond typical positional play. He is described as supremely skilful and able to operate in multiple roles within a single match, sometimes even within a single move. His play is shown as a continuous cycle: collecting the ball from the goalkeeper, moving into defensive positions, then appearing as a playmaker with defence-splitting passes. He also shifts to wide areas to deliver crosses, and later arrives at the edge of the penalty area to attempt shots. His goal contributions include memorable finishes against major opponents and important strikes in Champions League knockout matches, along with frequent heading ability despite his height.

"Silva is in a sphere of his own, though, when it comes to versatility. Not only is he supremely skilful, he often plays in every position in a single match. Occasionally he even plays in every position in a single move. He'll collect the ball from the keeper, the Lisbon Beckenbauer and the most unlikely libero on earth. As the ball is recycled in defence, he'll pop up at right-back. More recycling, and he's now the playmaker extraordinaire, turning on a sixpence for the eye-of-a-needle, defence-splitting pass."

"More recycling. Then he pops up on the wing to curl an inswinging cross into the back post. By the time the ball gets half-cleared to the edge of the penalty area, Bernardo will be there to blast a shot high and wide into the crowd. To be fair there have been great goals the curler into the top corner against Arsenal, the screamer against United, the astonishing volley against Birmingham in the FA Cup where he can-cans the ball into the net (it's such a one-off that fans debate whether it's a volley, half-volley or a shot that transcends language)."

"Then there are the hugely important goals none more so than the two against Real Madrid in the 2023 Champions League semi-final. And the surprising number of headers for a man of his height (he is a head-tennis genius). In Manchester City's 2-1 win against Liverpool in January 20"

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