Portuguese defender António Silva, excluded from the national team’s World Cup roster, has stated he is now unfazed by criticism, having previously been more affected by it earlier in his career. Silva acknowledged a parallel between his current situation and veteran Pepe’s experience, suggesting both faced setbacks at different stages. Despite the disappointment of missing the World Cup, the Benfica player remains focused on the upcoming season with his club. He emphasized his commitment to improving and contributing to Benfica’s success, regardless of his role within the team. Silva expressed a clear objective for the next season, indicating a determination to perform at a high level. He appears to have developed a thicker skin and a more mature approach to handling public scrutiny.