Career Timeline of Bruno Fernandes: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Bruno Fernandes made an impact.

Bruno Fernandes is a Portuguese professional footballer renowned as an attacking midfielder. He captains Manchester United in the Premier League and plays for the Portugal national team. Widely considered one of the best attacking midfielders globally, Fernandes is celebrated for his creative playmaking, exceptional vision, goal-scoring prowess, and precise passing abilities.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

August 2012: Joined Novara in Italy

On 27 August 2012, Bruno Fernandes joined Novara in Italy, initially struggling with homesickness and language difficulties before settling in and being promoted to the first team.

2013: Moved to Udinese

In 2013, Bruno Fernandes moved from Novara to Serie A side Udinese.

2014: Participation in the 2014 Toulon Tournament

In 2014, Bruno Fernandes participated in the Toulon Tournament with the Portugal under-20 team, playing four matches, scoring against Chile, and helping Portugal to a third-place finish.

August 2016: Moved to Sampdoria on Loan

On 16 August 2016, Bruno Fernandes moved to Sampdoria on loan with an obligation to be signed permanently, making his league debut twelve days later.

2016: Represented Portugal at the Summer Olympics

In 2016, Bruno Fernandes represented Portugal at the Summer Olympics.

2016: 2016 Summer Olympics

In 2016, Bruno Fernandes represented Portugal in the Summer Olympics, starting every game as the team reached the quarter-finals.

June 2017: Joined Sporting CP

On 27 June 2017, Bruno Fernandes joined Sporting CP on a five-year deal.

August 2017: First call up for Portugal National team

On 28 August 2017, Bruno Fernandes was first chosen for Portugal to replace the injured Pizzi for World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Hungary.

November 2017: First Cap for Portugal

On 10 November 2017, Bruno Fernandes won his first full cap for Portugal, replacing Manuel Fernandes in a friendly win over Saudi Arabia.

2017: Made Senior International Debut

In 2017, Bruno Fernandes made his senior international debut for Portugal.

2017: Signed with Sporting CP

In 2017, Bruno Fernandes signed with Sporting CP after five years in Italy.

2017: UEFA European Under-21 Championship Participation

In June 2017, Bruno Fernandes participated in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship with Portugal, helping the team to a group stage finish and scoring a goal against Serbia in the opening match.

May 2018: Attack by Sporting Supporters and Named Primeira Liga Player of the Year

On 15 May 2018, Bruno Fernandes and his teammates were injured following an attack by Sporting supporters. Despite this, he was named the Primeira Liga Player of the Year on July 6 and later signed a new contract with the club.

2018: Chosen for the FIFA World Cup

In 2018, Bruno Fernandes was chosen in Portugal's squad for the FIFA World Cup.

2018: 2018 FIFA World Cup

In 2018, Bruno Fernandes was selected for the FIFA World Cup in Russia, scoring his first goal for Portugal against Algeria in a warm-up match and playing in the group stage draw against Spain; Portugal were eliminated by Uruguay in the last 16.

2018: UEFA Nations League group stage

In 2018, Fernandes was selected for three matches in the league phase of the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League group stage, helping the hosts Portugal qualify to the inaugural Nations League Finals in June 2019.

2018: 2018-19 Season

In the 2018-19 season, Bruno Fernandes broke the club record for goals by a midfielder and ultimately became the highest-scoring Portuguese midfielder in a single season, being named the Primeira Liga Player of the Year for the second successive year for his performances.

March 2019: Broke Club Record for Goals by a Midfielder

On 3 March 2019, Bruno Fernandes scored his 23rd goal of the 2018–19 campaign, surpassing António Oliveira's club record for goals by a midfielder in a season.

May 2019: Became Highest-Scoring Portuguese Midfielder in a Single Season

On 5 May 2019, Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick, becoming the highest-scoring Portuguese midfielder in a single season of all time, with 31 goals. He scored his 33rd and final goal of the season on May 25 during Sporting's victory against Porto in the Taça de Portugal final.

June 2019: UEFA Nations League Finals

In June 2019, Bruno Fernandes played in both matches of the UEFA Nations League Finals as Portugal defeated the Netherlands to win the trophy; he was also named in the Team of the Tournament.

2019: Scored in Six Consecutive Appearances

In 2019, Bruno Fernandes scored seven goals in his first 10 appearances, including a run of scoring in six consecutive appearances. Also, on November 28, he scored twice and assisted the other two goals in a 4–0 victory over PSV Eindhoven.

January 2020: Signed with Manchester United

In January 2020, Bruno Fernandes signed with Manchester United for an initial fee of €55 million (£47 million).

2020: Chosen for the UEFA European Championship

In 2020, Bruno Fernandes was chosen in Portugal's squad for the UEFA European Championship.

2020: UEFA Euro 2020 Tournament

In 2020, Bruno Fernandes was selected for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, appearing in all games, but his performances were criticized, and he was dropped from the starting line-up for the final group stage match.

February 2021: Goal and Assists in Record-Equalling Win

On 2 February 2021, Bruno Fernandes scored one goal and made two assists in Manchester United's Premier League record-equalling 9–0 home win against Southampton.

2021: Reached the UEFA Europa League Final

In 2021, Bruno Fernandes contributed to Manchester United reaching the UEFA Europa League final.

March 2022: World Cup Qualification

On 29 March 2022, Bruno Fernandes scored both goals in Portugal's 2–0 win over North Macedonia in the final of the World Cup qualification play-offs, ensuring Portugal's qualification for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

April 2022: Signed New Contract with Manchester United

On 1 April 2022, Bruno Fernandes signed a new contract with Manchester United, keeping him at the club until June 2026 with the option of a further year.

September 2022: Most minutes played in world football

From September 15, 2022, to 2023, Bruno Fernandes played the most minutes in world football, totaling 72 games and 6,666 minutes.

2022: Chosen for the FIFA World Cup

In 2022, Bruno Fernandes was chosen in Portugal's squad for the FIFA World Cup.

2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup

In 2022, Bruno Fernandes was part of Portugal's squad for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, providing two assists against Ghana, scoring twice against Uruguay, and assisting against Switzerland, finishing the tournament as a joint-top assister, despite Portugal's elimination in the quarter-finals.

2022: Premier League

In the 2022–23 Premier League, Fernandes created the most chances (119), the highest on record since 2003–04 by a United player in a single campaign.

January 2023: 150th Appearance for Manchester United and EFL Cup final

On 3 January 2023, Bruno Fernandes made his 150th appearance for Manchester United. On January 18, Fernandes scored in a 1–1 away draw to Crystal Palace, registering his 100th goal contribution for the club. On 26 February, Fernandes started in the 2023 EFL Cup final as United beat Newcastle United 2–0 at Wembley Stadium, winning his first trophy with the club.

2023: Reached the FA Cup Final

In 2023, Bruno Fernandes contributed to Manchester United reaching the FA Cup final.

May 2024: Selection for UEFA Euro 2024

In May 2024, Bruno Fernandes was selected in the 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024. On June 22, he scored Portugal's third goal in a 3–0 win against Turkey, securing qualification to the knockout phase. Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals to France after losing 5–3 in another penalty shootout.

2024: UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers

During the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers, Bruno Fernandes provided two assists and scored a brace against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 17. He also scored against Slovakia on September 8 and provided a goal and a hat-trick of assists against Luxembourg on September 11. He finished the qualifying campaign as the top assister with eight assists, and Portugal topped their qualifying group with ten consecutive wins, setting a new national team record.

2024: Chosen for the UEFA European Championship

In 2024, Bruno Fernandes was chosen in Portugal's squad for the UEFA European Championship.

March 2025: Hat-trick against Real Sociedad and Premier League Player of the Month Award

In March 2025, Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick against Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League and earned his fifth Premier League Player of the Month award after scoring two goals and providing two assists, including a direct free-kick against Arsenal.

August 2025: First Premier League Goal of the 2025-26 Season

In August 2025, Bruno Fernandes scored his first Premier League goal of the 2025–26 season, a 97th minute penalty, securing a 3–2 win against Burnley.

November 2025: Hat-trick against Armenia

On 16 November 2025, Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick in a 9–1 win over Armenia during the FIFA World Cup qualification, securing his nation's spot at the 2026 tournament in North America.

2025: Reached the UEFA Europa League Final

In 2025, Bruno Fernandes contributed to Manchester United reaching the UEFA Europa League final.

February 2026: 200 Goal Contributions for Manchester United

On 7 February 2026, after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur, Bruno Fernandes became the second fastest player to reach 200 goal contributions in Manchester United's history, with 104 goals and 96 assists.

March 2026: New Assist Record for Manchester United

On 15 March 2026, Bruno Fernandes set a new Manchester United record for most assists in a single Premier League season with his 16th assist of the 2025–26 campaign in a 3–1 win over Aston Villa.