André Silva: “It remains a dream of mine to play for Portugal again” | OneFootball

André Silva has returned to Porto after a decade playing abroad (Photo: FC Porto)

André Silva is back at the club where it all began. The centre-forward shot to fame after coming through the ranks at FC Porto, scoring 21 goals and providing 7 assists in 2016/17.

His performances earned him a big-money move to AC Milan. After almost a decade abroad that took in clubs in Italy, Spain and Germany during an up-and-down career, Porto re-signed the now 30-year-old striker this summer.

With first-choice centre-forward Samu Aghehowa still recovering from an ACL injury, Silva has staked his claim for the starting spot for the Portuguese champions after promising displays and several goals in the pre-season friendlies.

Like his club career, Silva’s time playing for Portugal has included highs and lows, and the striker still harbours hopes of returning to the Seleção. In an interview given to Portuguese channel SportTV, Silva emphasised getting back into the Seleção squad is one of his aims.

“It remains a dream of mine to play for the Seleção. I still feel part of the setup and I have the same desire and dream to represent Portugal in the next tournaments. That was always my ambition and it still is which is why I always give my best.

“Jorge Jesus? I’ve never had the chance to work with him, but he’s a manager who has been a winner at all the clubs he’s coached. I think he has a lot of charisma and the ability to get the best out of players – at least that’s what I see from outside.”

Goals galore in early Portugal games

André Silva made a spectacular start to his international career after breaking into the Portugal team under Fernando Santos after Euro 2016.

In 2016 and 2017, Silva played 18 times for Portugal, usually alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, netting an impressive 11 goals. In just his third competitive match for the Seleção, he hit a hat-trick against the Faroe Islands.

André Silva wheels away in celebration after scoring for Portugal against the Faroe Islands in 2016

Silva was asked about the good chemistry he struck up with Ronaldo that led the Seleção captain to publicly praise the then-Porto player on a regular basis.

“Yes, it clearly filled me with confidence at the time. That’s in the past now, but if it could happen again, it would make me proud.

“Back then, I was just a kid playing with Cristiano, who was my idol. Perhaps playing alongside him gave me more energy than usual. I ran hard for the team and felt that I was creating opportunities for him to score and at the same time I felt he was happy when I started scoring for the Seleção.”

Silva was asked if the fact he is back at the club where it all began has also brought back good sensations of the flying start to his career.

“Yes, and it felt like I had been here just yesterday, because I was experiencing certain emotions that brought previous feelings flooding back.

“But at the same time, I feel that throughout these nine years away I have learned to overcome difficulties, I’ve grown as a player and I have learned a lot.”

Porto will kick off the 2026/27 domestic season in Portugal next week when they play against Torreense in the Super Cup on Saturday 1 August in Coimbra.