Bruno Fernandez biography: Bruno Miguel Borgers Fernandez is a professional footballer who plays for Manchester United football club in England. Bruno Fernandes was born on the 8th of September 1994 in the town of Maia, Porto in Portugal.
Fernandez started his youth career at Infesta FC a local club in Portugal. After spending some time there, he was offered a contract at Porto youth academy which he rejected and moved to Boavista who were willing to offer him free transportation to training since his parents were unable to provide that for him. When only 15 years old Fernandez was playing at the centre back for Boavista but was converted to an attacking midfielder when he joined Pasteleira.
Bruno Fernandez might have shown his love for football doesn’t mean that he wasn’t interested in his academics. In fact while playing football Bruno Fernandez also studied at the faculty of Economics University of Porto.
Table of Contents
Football Career
Club Career
Novara 2012/2013: After having a promising career in Portugal, Bruno Fernandez on the 27th of August 2012 joined Italian Serie B side Novara FC. But it wasn’t an easy move. Bruno Fernandez suffered from homesickness, and it was equally difficult for him to learn Italian. This affected his performances, but that quickly changed after his girlfriend left school and moved to Italy with him into the Novara FC Youth team.
After spending a few weeks at the Novara academy, Bruno Fernandez was promoted to the first team of the Serie B club where he played more than 50% of the senior team games, helping his new club to a 5th place finish. Due to his obvious qualities, he was nicknamed the maradona of Novara and also “Mini Rui Costa”.
Bruno Fernandez made a total of 24 appearances for Novara in his one season at the club scoring four times and providing two assists in the process.
Udinese 2013/2016: After spending just one season at Novara, Bruno Fernandes decided that it was time to take the step-up in his career. In the summer of 2013 top Serie A clubs have begun to show serious interest in him, Juventus and Inter Milan Not excluded.
However, Bruno decided to join Udinese in what is seen as a co-ownership deal. The club promised to give him much more first team opportunities. Fernandez scored his first goal for his new club on December 7th 2013 during a 3:3 draw between Udinese and Napoli.
The Portuguese magnifico spent 3 years at the club where he made 95 appearances for Udinese scoring 11 times and providing 13 assists in the process.
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Sampdoria 2016/2017: After spending three seasons at Udinese, on August 16th 2016, it was decided that Bruno Fernandes moves to Sampdoria on loan. This deal came with an obligation to be signed permanently by sampdoria. Fernandez made his debut for his new club in a 2:1 victory at home against Atalanta. He also scored his first goal for the club during a 2:1 loss to Cagliari.
Bruno made 35 appearances for the Serie A club, scoring five times and providing three assists which helped sampdoria finish 10th in the table.
Sporting Lisbon 2017/2020: While out sampdoria Sporting Lisbon were already showing huge interest in Bruno Fernandes. On the 27th of June 2017 the Portuguese club agreed a fee of 8.5 million pounds plus bonuses to Sign Bruno Fernandez. Bruno signed a 5 years deal with the Portuguese club.
He made his Champions League debut for the club in a 3:2 win against olympiacos in the game he was on the scoresheet. Bruno Fernandes ended up scoring 16 goals in all competitions in his first season for the club.
On 6th July 2018 Fernandez was announced as the Primera Liga Player of The Year, he would go on to sign a new five-year contract with a reported £100M release clause. During the 2018/2019 season, Bruno scored a hat-trick in an 8:1 away trashing of Belenense SAD.
This took his tally for the season to 31 goals, becoming the only Portuguese midfielder with the highest goals in a single season; he ended the season on 33 goals in all competitions. He ended up winning the Taca De Portugal final against Porto. Bruno Fernandez was named the Primeira Liga Player of the year for 2018/2019 season, his second in a role.
During the 2019 to 2020 season, he scored a total of 7 goals in his first 10 appearances for sporting. He also scored a brace and assisted the other two goals as Sporting Lisbon defeated Psv Eindhoven 4:0 which made sure Sporting Lisbon made it to the Quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The Portuguese magnifico made a total of 137 appearances for Sporting Lisbon, scoring 64 times for the Portuguese club.
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Manchester United 2020/Till Date: Bruno Fernandes’ scintillating form at Sporting Lisbon meant it was only a matter of time before one of the biggest clubs in Europe came for him.
On 29 January 2020 Premier League super weight Manchester United announced that they have agreed a fee of 67 million pounds with Sporting for Bruno. The transfer was officially completed the next day, with Bruno Fernandes signing a five and a half year deal with Manchester United.
He made his Premier League debut for Manchester United in a 0:0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford. On February 23rd, 2020 Fernandez scored his first Premier League goal for Manchester United in the 3:0 thrashing of Watford at Old Trafford.
He also assisted teammate Mason Greenwood’s goal in that game. He was voted the Premier League player for the month of February. The Portuguese also scooped Premier League player and goal for the month of June 2020 becoming the first player to ever win the two awards in the same month. Fernandez found the net eight times and assisted his teammates 7 times in 14 Premier League appearances for Ole’s Manchester United side.
Since joining Manchester United Bruno Fernandez has been a very key player for the club scoring 28 goals and providing a further 17 assists in all competitions in his first full season at the club.
In February 2023, Fenandez won the EFL cup after Manchester United defeated Newcastle United 2:0 in the final. He was named Manchester United captain by Eric Ten Hag, Bruno Fernandez have played over 180 matches for Manchester United, contributing 100 goals in the process.
Fernandes has established himself as a fan favorite and a leader at Manchester United. He was appointed club captain in January 2023, further solidifying his place as a key figure in the team. He continues to be a driving force behind United’s recent success, helping them secure the Europa League title in 2023.
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International Career
He made his debut for the Portuguese national team in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia on November 10, 2017. He was also part of the Portuguese team that were crowned UEFA Nations League champion in 2019 a competition where he played all matches scoring in the semi-finals against Switzerland and also was awarded the man of the match against Netherland in the finals.
He was part of the team that participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where Uruguay eliminated Portugal in the round of 16.
Bruno participated in the 2022 World cup in Qatar, scoring two goals and providing three assists as Portugal were beaten by Morocco in the quarter-finals. Bruno Fernandez has made over 60 appearances for Portugal, scoring 15 times in the process.
Awards and accolades
- Premier League Player of the Month (3 times)
- PFA Fans’ Player of the Year (2020)
- Manchester United Goal of the Season (2019–20)
- Taça da Liga winner (2018)
- Europa League winner (2023)
- Primeira Liga Player of the Year (2018)
- UEFA Nations League winner (2019)
- Premier League Player of the Month (2x)
- Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year (2020)
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Family
Fernandes is known for his dedication to family and his charitable work. He is married to his childhood sweetheart, Ana Pinho, and they have a son, Goncalo. Fernandes is actively involved in various social causes and has supported initiatives like COVID-19 relief efforts in Portugal.
Net worth
Fernandes’ net worth is estimated to be around £40 million. His lucrative contract with Manchester United, coupled with endorsement deals, contribute significantly to his wealth.
FAQs Bruno Fernandez biography
- Where was Bruno Fernandes born?
- A: Bruno Fernandes was born in Maia, Portugal, on September 8, 1994.
- Q: How did he start playing football?
- A: Fernandes’ love for football blossomed at a young age. He honed his skills playing on the streets with his older brother, Ricardo, who also became a professional footballer.
- Q: Which were his early clubs?
- A: Fernandes began his youth career at local club Infesta before moving to Boavista and then Pasteleira.
- Q: When did he move to Italy?
- A: Fernandes ventured to Italy at the age of 17 to play for Serie B side Novara in 2012.
- Q: How did he adapt to life in Italy?
- A: Initially homesick, Fernandes persevered, learning Italian and becoming a key player for Novara.
- Q: Which other Italian clubs did he play for?
- A: In 2013, he earned a move to Udinese in Serie A, further developing his skills and attracting the attention of bigger clubs.
- Q: When did he join Sporting CP?
- A: Fernandes returned to Portugal in 2017, joining Sporting CP.
- Q: What position did he play at Sporting CP?
- A: He blossomed into a creative playmaker, dictating the tempo of the game with his precise passing and incisive runs.
- Q: What are some of his achievements at Sporting CP?
- A: He won the Primeira Liga Player of the Year award in 2018 and played a key role in Portugal’s 2018 World Cup squad.
- Q: When did he join Manchester United?
- A: Fernandes made a record-breaking transfer to Manchester United in January 2020.
- Q: What impact has he had at Manchester United?
- A: He quickly adapted to English football, becoming a fan favorite and a crucial part of the team. He transformed United’s midfield with his leadership, vision, and goalscoring prowess.
- Q: What are some of his achievements at Manchester United?
- A: He was named Premier League Player of the Month in February and March 2020 and won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award in 2020.
- Q: What are some of his major awards?
- A: His trophy cabinet boasts accolades like:
- Primeira Liga Player of the Year (2018)
- Taça da Liga winner (2018)
- UEFA Nations League winner (2019)
- Premier League Player of the Month (2x)
- Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year (2020)
- Q: Is Bruno Fernandes married?
- A: Yes, he is married to his childhood sweetheart, Ana Pinho, and they have a son named Gonçalo.
- Q: What is he like off the field?
- A: He is known for his humble and down-to-earth personality, often interacting with fans and supporting charitable causes.
- Q: What is Bruno Fernandes’ net worth?
- A: His meteoric rise has translated into significant financial success. His current net worth is estimated to be around £40 million.