Andre Silva is a name that could be on everyone’s lips by the time the World Cup rolls around in 12 months’ time. The 21-year-old forward has just completed a €38 million move to AC Milan from Porto and has made an explosive start to life at international level for Portugal, scoring seven times in only eight internationals.
Milan certainly feel they have bagged themselves an excellent addition in the transfer market and in the years to come it would be little surprise if he was seen as a bargain signing, at least on the evidence of the early part of his career.
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Here are five things you did not know about one of football’s hottest young properties:
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo is a huge fan
When the Ballon d’Or winner claims you are the heir to his crown, you know you have a great chance of making it all the way to the top. Speaking in March, Ronaldo played down fears that his national team may slump when he eventually takes a back seat by stating: “When I retire, Portugal is still in good hands. We have a great forward in Andre Silva.”
Ronaldo has scored 73 times at international level in 139 appearances. Silva has some making up to do on his country’s record marksman, but he has shown early promise by netting seven times in just eight matches. Indeed, he is already well on his way to breaking into the top 10 Portugal marksmen of all time, requiring just another 15 goals – a tally, it seems, he is well capable of reaching.
#2 He has been compared to CR7
Ronaldo may have endorsed the youngster, but he has not gone so far as to compare the AC Milan attacker with himself. Nevertheless, others have.
His former youth team coach, Alexandre Silva, certainly feels there are comparisons between the two players. “Andre has the capacity to play as an attacking spearhead but he is able to shine in other roles, too,” he explained to Maisfutebol.
“He has an incredible ability to change his speed, has good technique, plays with both feet easily and has an excellent scoring instinct.
“I’ve had hundreds of players on my hands, and this guy is special.”
Sound familiar?
Moreover, his incredible capacity to train and try to improve himself all the time mirrors that of the Real Madrid ace, who will go down as one of the outstanding players of his generation.
#3 At one stage it seemed he may not make it at Porto
Silva’s remarkable explosion during the 2016-17 season saw him score 16 goals in 32 outings in the league, not to mention five in 10 in Europe, yet the road to being a first-team regular was far from straightforward for the young striker.
Indeed, in January 2016, it seemed that his time at the club he had played for since a 13-year-old was about to end. Head coach Julen Lopetgui, who is now in charge of Spain, was sacked as Jose Peseiro took over. Having been relegated as low as a fifth-choice striker in Porto’s ranks, he was suddenly afforded opportunities to impress and scored his first league goal against Boavista in an early kickoff.
“I have to start playing in the morning,” he joked afterwards.
It was, however, in the Taca de Portugal that he made his big impression. Although Porto lost 4-2 on penalties, he scored twice to help his side recover from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in normal time. A last-minute bicycle kick to tie the score in that clash was particularly memorable.
From there, the rest is history.
#4 Once signed for €1000
The beginning to Silva’s career was very humble indeed. He started out with Salgueiros and caught the eye when he led his side to a shock 3-2 success over Porto’s youth team in 2010.
“Porto had won all their games to that point and we surprised them,” coach Alexandre Silva told Maisfutebol. “The whole team was great by Andre was the standout. He scored and was man of the match.”
Porto had seen enough of the youngster to make their move, but they could not agree upon a transfer fee and so the deal went to court. Compensation was ruled at a mere €1000 – seven years later he has been sold for many times that amount.
#5 He’s a big FIFA fan – but is he any good?
Like many footballers, he enjoys his spare time playing video games, and FIFA in particularly. Just how good he is at the game is debatable, though.
Speaking before the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2015, team-mate Ivo Rodrigues laughed: “I’m always beating him on the PlayStation. Out of every 10 games we play, I win eight and it makes him cry!”
Silva hit back: “That’s not true. We played a tournament the other day between all of us and I won it, having knocked him out in the Round of 16. He’s a big fibber, he’s rubbish on the PlayStation.”
He will certainly not be pleased with his 74 rating in the game’s 2017 edition and should be substantially upgraded when the new version arrives in September.
