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32-year-old Portuguese midfielder Rafa Silva is preparing to part ways with Istanbul-based club Besiktas, according to a statement released by his management agency, Onsoccer, which cited the club’s internal instability, disappointing results and failed commitments as reasons for the player’s dissatisfaction and his desire to continue his career outside Türkiye.
Rafa Silva, who joined Besiktas on a free transfer from Benfica during the 2024–2025 summer transfer window, is said to have lost confidence in the project he initially believed in, with his representatives stating that he has been left "disappointed" by unmet expectations both on and off the pitch.
In the statement, Onsoccer emphasized that Rafa Silva’s decision to join Besiktas had not been financially driven, noting he had turned down offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and top European leagues.
According to the agency, Silva made the move "entirely on his own initiative" because he believed in the club’s vision.
The statement mentioned the team’s 2024 Turkish Super Cup victory as a positive early milestone. However, it noted that the situation quickly deteriorated amid coaching changes, boardroom instability, and underwhelming domestic and European results.
"Despite being a model professional, the growing instability at the club has intensified Rafa's disappointment," the statement said. "He no longer feels capable of continuing his duties as before."
The statement was issued in response to remarks made by Besiktas Chairman Serdal Adali and Head Coach Sergen Yalcin during a joint press conference held on Saturday to address the situation, in which the club’s leadership commented on Silva’s status.
Adali revealed that the club had tried to resolve issues with Silva following a substitution dispute during Besiktas’s 2–1 win over Istanbul Basaksehir in Week 5 of the Turkish Super Lig, noting that initial talks suggested the player intended to retire but later changed his stance, citing frustration with frequent managerial changes.
Adali asserted the club bears no financial obligations toward Silva and criticized the agent’s proposal to terminate the contract in exchange for €3 million ($3.48 million). "This is Besiktas. If someone wants to leave, the conditions will be set by Besiktas," Adali stated, underlining that Silva is under contract until mid-2026 and any release would require proper compensation.
Coach Sergen Yalcin shared further details, saying he was initially alarmed by Silva's early desire to leave, describing the situation as a "bomb" dropped on his first day. Despite efforts to re-engage the player, Yalcin reported that Silva's morale and communication continued to decline.
By Week 10 of the Turkish Super Lig, when Besiktas played away and drew 1–1 against Kasimpasa, Silva reportedly informed staff he no longer wished to attend training or matches. "We left him alone at practices, as he wished," Yalcin said. "Eventually, he stopped communicating directly and began sending messages only through his agent."
Yalcin also claimed the agent issued indirect threats about training participation, a move the coach found unacceptable. "I showed more tolerance to Rafa Silva than to anyone else in my career," he concluded, while stressing that "no one is bigger than the club."
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While Onsoccer insists that Silva remains professional and will continue to fulfill contractual obligations, the agency confirmed that the player has no intention of representing any other Turkish club and is looking for a resolution based on mutual interest.
Besiktas, however, has not agreed to a release unless the terms align with its valuation. The club reportedly expects up to €15 million for the release of the veteran midfielder, despite having acquired him without a transfer fee.
The standoff continues, with both sides publicly committed to resolving the matter without escalation. For now, the player remains under contract, and the January transfer window may offer a potential turning point.
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