There can be no doubt that Bruno Fernandes is the main man at Manchester United. He is lauded both for his prodigious talents, on-field talents — remarkable — street soccer, but off-field, swagger. From a small child in Portugal, he became the captain of one of the most renowned football clubs worldwide. His journey is powered by sheer will, the love of family and an unwavering commitment to his craft.
Fernandes’ tale began in the remote, rural areas of Portugal. Motivated by the prospect of a better future, his parents saw his footballing potential even before making a move to Switzerland. His parent, Jose, lost his job and was looking at the possibility of emigrating to find work. It was in this somewhat tricky period, with the pandemic up in the air, that Bruno’s true potential was realized.
At just 17 years old, he found himself at a crossroads with two offers on the table: one from Middlesbrough in England and another from Novara in Italy. Bruno was reluctant to leave home. He refused the English one and said he would leave home if his parents forced him to learn English. This decision underscored his respect for his background and his family’s role in his life.
Growing up in Portugal, as a young player at Boavista, Fernandes balanced schoolwork with training. He attended classes on Wednesdays that often clashed with his team’s practice schedule, which began at 4:30 PM. Even with those disadvantages, he kept his eye on perfecting his craft, setting himself up to be an undeniable success.
In February 2020, after just one training session with Manchester United, Fernandes was thrust into the starting lineup for a goalless draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford. His transition was almost without a hiccup, affirming his ability to compete at the highest level of football right away.
Fernandes was originally due to sign for Tottenham Hotspur. This continued under Mauricio Pochettino, only six months before his own departure to Manchester United. In the end, the transfer saga concluded with Fernandes joining United in January 2020 for a fee of £47 million. Since then, he’s been one of the club’s MVPs down the stretch.
Bruno’s elder sibling, Ricardo, had previously immigrated to England for work, taking up a position as a hospital assistant. This decision reflects their family’s commitment to looking for opportunities abroad. For Bruno, this family support has been a motivating force for him during his professional career.
He transferred to Sporting CP in the summer of 2017. To little surprise, he quickly distinguished himself from his peers in the Portuguese league. He followed that up in the 2018-19 season with a superb 33 goal, 18 assist campaign. This accomplishment eclipsed Frank Lampard’s record for most goals in a season by a midfielder in Europe’s top-5 leagues. Through superior performances, he gained recognition and respect. In doing so, he ascended to the captaincy of Portugal’s under-21 side, all while flying under the radar among an all-star cast of players in his country.
Bruno’s journey is deeply intertwined with his father’s influence. As a father, Jose Fernandes taught his son the importance of humility and being kind to others. Bruno remembers that his father greeted everybody on the street in their small hometown, good morning even to those he didn’t know.
“It’s that instinct to be warm, to get along with everyone from the start,” – Bruno Fernandes
This warmth shines through not just in Bruno’s character but in how he plays the game. Abilio Novais, the coach who first honed Bruno’s talents while he was in Portugal, saw his brilliance right away.
“He was a little genius from a humble family,” – Abilio Novais
Bruno’s competitiveness is notable. He always strives to improve and push himself beyond his limits. This uncompromising motivation comes from his passion for greatness.
“You could see he wanted to make it so bad. He hated losing – really hated it,” – Abilio Novais
Now donning the number eight jersey at Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes honors the legacy of his father. From that point on, he became somewhat of a figure of resilience and leadership in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. He has more than taken ownership of the captain’s role. Along with this, he demonstrates what it means to be a team player 100% of the time.
“I tell everyone this. When I walk around my hometown, I notice it – no one else really does it,” – Bruno Fernandes
His leadership style is one of warmth and approachability, a style that earned him respect from teammates and fans alike.
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