“Celtic Midfielder Paulo Bernardo Reveals Dream of Benfica Return – But Stays Focused on Hoops for Now!”

Paulo Bernardo, the 22-year-old midfielder, joined Celtic on loan from Benfica last summer and made the move permanent this year. He has stepped up impressively to fill the void left by Matt O’Riley’s departure to Brighton, earning attention with his standout performances in the Scottish Premiership and during Portugal U21’s recent matches.In a recent interview with O Jogo, Paulo Bernardo reflected on his strong connection to Benfica while emphasizing his commitment to Celtic. “My dream has always been to play for Benfica, and I think the door is still open,” Bernardo stated. “If I return one day, I will be very happy.”

Despite this, Bernardo expressed his satisfaction with his current situation at Celtic. “I’m happy at Celtic. I signed a five-year contract, I’m focused there, and I’m not thinking about the future but about having a great season.” His comments highlight both his ambition at Celtic and the lingering possibility of a future return to his boyhood club.

Paulo Bernardo has proven himself as a top-quality player, combining physicality with a smooth, skillful presence on the ball. He’s a special talent for Celtic. However, breaking into the starting eleven consistently is a challenge, with Reo Hatate and Arne Engels seemingly locking down the starting roles. This leaves Bernardo, along with McCowan, to make an impact off the bench.

Having a player of Bernardo’s caliber in reserve allows Brendan Rodgers to rotate his squad without sacrificing quality, ensuring depth and strength throughout the season.