25-time international Rafa Silva is no longer available for the national team of Portugal. The 29-year-old tastemaker of SL Benfica is having a strong season and would normally go to the World Cup in Qatar. Due to personal reasons, the lightning-fast winger no longer wants to play for the national team.
It is not yet known why Silva made this decision. He has been a regular part of since his debut in 2014 Seleco das Quinas. The right leg was part of the Portuguese selection that won the European Championship in 2016. In addition, Silva came in fifteen minutes before the end when Portugal won the final of the Nations League in 2019 at the expense of the Netherlands. In the 25 international matches he played, Silva was never accurate, but the winger did provide four assists.
In Portugal, Silva’s decision comes as a surprise given his rock-solid performance in the current season at Benfica. Under trainer Roger Schmidt, the tastemaker is invariably a basic player. In the first thirteen official games of this season, Silva has scored six goals and four assists. Silva is seen in his own country as an ideal substitute, given his speed and passing actions.
Silva’s personal statement reads as follows: “Today I informed national coach Fernando Santos and the Portuguese Football Federation that I am no longer available to represent the national team. I believe this is a fair and correct decision at this point in my career that will be respected by all. I will always be on the front row to support the team and I am sure that the national team will continue to bring joy to the Portuguese. Also during the 2022 World Cup.”
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