The midfielder has acknowledged the role his compatriot played in helping him acclimatise to life in the Principality.
AS Monaco’s Bernardo Silva has joked that he didn’t much care for teammated Joao Moutinho when the two were positioned on opposite sides of Portuguese football’s divide.
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Lisbon native Silva was formed at Benfica and graduated to the first team before being loaned to Monaco last season and making his move permanent earlier this year.
Moutinho, by contrast, was formed at Sporting Lisbon before moving to domestic giants FC Porto.
“I used to watch Joao Moutinho on the TV,” the Portuguese U21 international joked, speaking to L’Equipe, “he didn’t wear the Benfica kit, so I didn’t like him much!”
Silva did, however, go on to thank his compatriot for helping him integrate into life at Monaco.
“He helped me to integrate a lot. It’s a real pleasure to play by his side.
“It’s a big sporting step in my career to have signed for Monaco.”
Silva, his erstwhile adversary Moutinho and their teammates are next in action on Friday night, when they welcome SC Bastia to the Stade Louis II, before they host Arsenal on Tuesday evening in a Champions League Last 16 second leg match.