Bruno Fernandes: Early Life, Clubs, Family, Net Worth, Career and Stats

Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes, born on September 8, 1994, is a Portuguese professional footballer renowned for his role as an attacking midfielder. He currently serves as the captain for the Premier League club Manchester United and is a key player for the Portugal national team. Fernandes is particularly known for his exceptional passing skills, vision, creative playmaking abilities, and his proficiency in taking penalties.

Throughout his career, Fernandes has represented Portugal at various youth levels, including under-19, under-20, under-21, and under-23 categories. He also had the honor of competing for Portugal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. His senior international debut came in 2017, and he has been a part of Portugal’s squads for prestigious tournaments like the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals, the UEFA Euro 2020, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Notably, he played a crucial role in Portugal’s victory in the 2019 UEFA Nations League, held in Portugal, and was recognized for his outstanding performance by being included in the Team of the Tournament.

Early Life

Bruno Fernandes hails from Maia, which is in the Metropolitan Area of Porto, Portugal. In his early years, he held a strong passion for two football clubs, Boavista and Manchester United. His love for the game was nurtured by playing football on the streets alongside his older brother, Ricardo, who was also a professional footballer.

Interestingly, Fernandes faced a significant decision during his childhood when his father, who had relocated to Switzerland, wanted him to join him there. However, Bruno declined the offer, as he was not convinced by the quality of football in Switzerland at that time and chose to continue pursuing his football career in Portugal.

Clubs: The Footballing Journey

Infesta & Boavista

In his early years, Bruno Fernandes initiated his youth football journey with a local club called Infesta. Although he had the opportunity to join FC Porto’s youth academy, he opted for nearby rivals Boavista. One of the deciding factors was that Boavista provided transportation to training sessions, which was vital because his parents couldn’t manage the daily commute to Porto.

During his youth development, Fernandes primarily honed his skills with Boavista. Notably, he started his football career as a center-back but underwent a significant positional shift at the age of 15. This transition transformed him into an attacking midfielder, a role he embraced after a loan stint at Pasteleira.

Spell in Italy (Novara, Udinese, Sampdoria)

In 2012, Bruno Fernandes embarked on a football adventure in Italy, joining Novara on August 27. Initially, he faced challenges, including homesickness and the hurdle of learning the Italian language. However, his determination and support from his girlfriend, who moved to Italy, helped him adapt, earning him nicknames like the “Maradona of Novara” and the “Mini Rui Costa.”

Fernandes quickly progressed from the youth ranks to Novara’s first team in Serie B. During the 2012-2013 season, he played a significant role in slightly over half of the league games, contributing to Novara’s fifth-place finish and a chance at promotion through play-offs.

In the summer of 2013, his talent caught the attention of Serie A giants Inter Milan and Juventus. Nevertheless, Fernandes opted to sign with Udinese in a co-ownership deal, which guaranteed him more opportunities in the first team. His Serie A debut came in November of the same year, and he marked it with his first league goal in December, followed by another in a later match.

In 2016, Fernandes moved to Sampdoria on loan, eventually securing a permanent deal. His time at Sampdoria saw him become a regular in Serie A, contributing with five goals in 33 appearances and helping the team achieve a respectable tenth-place finish.

Sporting CP

In 2017, Bruno Fernandes made a significant move to Sporting CP, signing a five-year contract for a reported fee of €8.5 million, with additional bonuses. His Sporting CP journey began with a strong start, as he scored four goals in his initial five Primeira Liga matches, including a memorable brace against Vitória de Guimarães. He also made his mark in the UEFA Champions League, helping secure a win against Olympiacos.

During his first season at Sporting CP, Fernandes tallied an impressive 16 goals across all competitions and provided 20 assists. This outstanding performance earned him a place in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year and the title of Primeira Liga Player of the Year.

However, the season was not without challenges. In May 2018, Fernandes and his teammates were subjected to an attack by Sporting supporters at the training ground. Despite this unfortunate incident, the team persevered and played in the Taça de Portugal final, ultimately losing to Desportivo das Aves. Fernandes’ exceptional contributions didn’t go unnoticed, and he was once again named Primeira Liga Player of the Year.

Fernandes continued to shine in the following seasons, setting records as the highest-scoring midfielder in Europe. He surpassed club records and made Sporting history by scoring a remarkable 33 goals during the 2018-2019 season, including a hat-trick against Belenenses SAD. He also played a pivotal role in Sporting’s successful UEFA Europa League campaign.

These achievements solidified his reputation as one of the most exceptional midfielders in Europe and earned him numerous accolades and recognition for his outstanding performances in the Primeira Liga.

Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes’s journey at Manchester United began in January 2020 with a transfer fee reported to be around €55 million, which could rise to €80 million with add-ons and future profit-sharing. The Portuguese midfielder signed a five-and-a-half-year contract. His debut for the club took place on February 1, 2020, in a goalless draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Notably, he made an immediate impact, providing an assist in a win over Chelsea and scoring his first goal from the penalty spot against Watford.

Fernandes continued to excel, and in March 2020, he was named the Premier League Player of the Month. His impact on the team grew, and he scored a brace against Brighton & Hove Albion in June, leading to multiple awards, including Premier League Player of the Month and Goal of the Month. He also set a record as the first Manchester United player since Cristiano Ronaldo to win back-to-back Premier League Player of the Month awards.

During the 2020-2021 season, Fernandes further solidified his reputation as a key player at Manchester United. He scored a late penalty against Brighton, among other remarkable performances, and continued to be a pivotal figure. He secured multiple Premier League Player of the Month awards and was a top goalscorer and assist provider in the league.

In the 2021-2022 season, Fernandes scored a hat-trick against Leeds United in the season opener. He maintained his excellent form and earned a new contract, extending his stay at Manchester United until 2026. His consistent performances and milestones like his 100th appearance for the club showcased his importance to the team.

In the 2022-2023 season, Fernandes changed his squad number to 8 and continued to be a force on the field. He contributed to Manchester United’s victories, including a win in the EFL Cup final, which marked his first trophy with the club.

Throughout his Manchester United career, Fernandes has consistently been a star player, earning accolades and making significant contributions on the field, becoming a fan favorite and a key figure in the club’s success.

The Present (2023)

In the 2023 season, Bruno Fernandes took on a new role as the captain of Manchester United, succeeding Harry Maguire, who had previously held the position. His leadership was officially announced on July 20, marking a significant milestone in his career with the club.

Fernandes’s impact on the team continued as he scored his first goal of the season on August 26, converting a penalty and also providing an assist to Casemiro in a thrilling comeback victory against Nottingham Forest, with a final score of 3-2.

Notably, from September 15, 2022, to the year 2023, Fernandes earned the distinction of being the most frequently played elite player globally, participating in 72 games and accumulating an impressive total of 6,666 minutes on the field. This remarkable feat underlined his enduring importance and contributions to Manchester United.

Family

Bruno Fernandes has had strong familial support throughout his career. His parents, Jose Mario and Cristina played pivotal roles in his journey. His father, a former professional footballer, initially coached and nurtured his skills, while his mother made significant sacrifices to support his pursuit of his football dreams.

Fernandes is happily married to Ana Pinho, whom he met during their teenage years. They tied the knot in 2015 and have since welcomed two children into their family, a son named Goncalo and a daughter named Matilde.

In terms of real estate, Fernandes owns multiple properties in various locations. These include properties in his native Portugal as well as in the United Kingdom, where he currently represents Manchester United. His investments in real estate reflect his financial success and stability as a top-tier football player.

Net Worth

Renowned Portuguese football player Bruno Fernandes has amassed an estimated net worth of $30 million in 2023, as reported by various reputable sources such as Wikipedia, Forbes, and Bloomberg. His financial success is reflected in a monthly income and salary exceeding $0.1 million and an annual income and salary of over $2 million. Over the years, Fernandes’ net worth has shown steady growth, increasing from $20 million in 2018 to $30 million in 2023, underlining his status as one of the top players in the football world.

Bruno Fernandes Stats

Club:

International:

Bruno Fernandes has earned a notable list of honors and individual accolades throughout his career. While at Sporting CP, he contributed to their success by winning the Taça de Portugal and Taça da Liga. After joining Manchester United, he added the EFL Cup to his list of achievements and was a runner-up in the FA Cup and UEFA Europa League.
On the international stage, Fernandes was part of the Portugal team that won the UEFA Nations League in 2018-19. His awards and recognitions are equally impressive, including multiple Player of the Month titles and selections in various Team of the Year lineups.

He has received the Premier League Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards, as well as the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year at Manchester United. Fernandes has been a consistent standout performer, earning recognition as one of the top players in both club and international football.