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. Currently, he captains Manchester United in the Premier League and represents the Portugal national team. Widely considered one of the best attacking midfielders globally, he's celebrated for his creative playmaking, exceptional vision, goal-scoring prowess, and precise passing skills. His contributions make him a key player for both club and country.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

March 1994: First United player to be sent off in consecutive matches

On October 3, 2023, Bruno Fernandes became the first United player to be sent off in consecutive matches since Eric Cantona in March 1994.

1999: Set new Manchester United record for most assists in a single Premier League season

On March 15, 2026, Bruno Fernandes set a new Manchester United record for most assists in a single Premier League season, registering his 16th assist of the 2025–26 campaign, surpassing the previous mark of 15 set by David Beckham in 1999–2000.

2000: Set new Manchester United record for most assists in a single Premier League season

2008: First United player to receive three red cards in a season

On December 26, 2023, Bruno Fernandes became the first United player to receive three red cards in a season since Nemanja Vidic in the 2008–09 season.

August 2012: Joined Novara

On August 27, 2012, Bruno Fernandes joined Novara in Italy. He initially struggled with homesickness and learning Italian, but settled in after his girlfriend moved to Italy.

2013: Move to Udinese

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

2013: Signed for Udinese and Serie A Debut

In the summer of 2013, Bruno Fernandes signed for Udinese and made his debut in Serie A on November 3rd. He scored his first league goal on December 7th against Napoli.

2014: Participated in the Toulon Tournament

In 2014, Bruno Fernandes participated in the Toulon Tournament with the Portugal under-20s, helping Portugal to a third-place finish.

August 2016: Moved to Sampdoria on Loan

On August 16, 2016, Bruno Fernandes moved to Sampdoria on loan. He made his league debut twelve days later and scored his first goal for the team on September 26 against Cagliari.

2016: Represented Portugal at the Summer Olympics

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

June 2017: Joined Sporting CP

On June 27, 2017, Bruno Fernandes joined Sporting CP on a five-year deal after returning from the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

August 2017: First chosen for World Cup qualifiers

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

November 2017: Won first full cap for Portugal

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

2017: 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 playing five years in Italy.

2017: Took part in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship

In June 2017, Bruno Fernandes participated in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, helping Portugal to a group stage finish.

May 2018: Attack at Sporting's Training Ground

On May 15, 2018, Bruno Fernandes and several teammates were injured following an attack by Sporting supporters. Despite this, they played in the Taça de Portugal final. Bruno Fernandes was named the Primeira Liga Player of the Year on July 6.

2018: 2018-19 Season

Bruno Fernandes had achievements in the 2018-19 season

2018: FIFA World Cup Selection

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

2018: Selected for the FIFA World Cup in Russia

In 2018, Bruno Fernandes was selected for the FIFA World Cup in Russia and scored his first goal for Portugal in a warm-up match against Algeria on June 7, 2018.

2018: Selected for three matches in the league phase of the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League group stage

In 2018, Bruno 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: Won Taça da Liga and Named Primeira Liga Player of the Year

In 2018, Bruno Fernandes won the Taça da Liga and was named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year and Primeira Liga Player of the Year.

March 2019: Surpassed Club Record for Goals by a Midfielder

On March 3, 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: Highest-Scoring Portuguese Midfielder in a Single Season

On May 5, 2019, Bruno Fernandes became the highest-scoring Portuguese midfielder in a single season of all time, with 31 goals. On May 25, he scored his 33rd goal of the season in Sporting's victory in the Taça de Portugal final. He was named Primeira Liga Player of the Year for the second successive year.

June 2019: Won the UEFA Nations League Finals

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

2019: Scored in Six Consecutive Appearances

During the 2019–20 season, Bruno Fernandes scored seven goals in his first 10 appearances, including a run of scoring in six consecutive appearances. On November 28, 2019, he scored twice and assisted two goals in a 4-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven.

2019: UEFA Nations League Finals Win

In 2019, Bruno Fernandes was part of the Portugal team that won the UEFA Nations League Finals, and he was also named to its Team of the Tournament on home soil.

2019: Won Taça da Liga and Named Primeira Liga Player of the Year

In 2019, Bruno Fernandes won back-to-back Taças da Liga and was named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year and Primeira Liga Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. He also scored a record of 33 goals in all competitions.

2019: Europa League top scorer

In the 2019–20 season, Bruno Fernandes was named the Europa League top scorer.

January 2020: Signed with Manchester United

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

2020: UEFA European Championship Selection

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

2020: Appeared in all games of UEFA Euro 2020 tournament

In 2020, Bruno Fernandes was named in Portugal's final squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, appearing in all games.

February 2021: Assisted in Record-Equalling Win Against Southampton

In 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: UEFA Europa League final

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

March 2022: Scored both goals in World Cup qualification play-off

On March 29, 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.

April 2022: Signed New Contract with Manchester United

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

July 2022: Changed Squad Number to 8

On July 1, 2022, Manchester United announced that Bruno Fernandes had changed his squad number from 18 to 8.

2022: Participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

In 2022, Bruno Fernandes participated in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, providing two assists against Ghana and scoring twice against Uruguay. He finished as the joint-top assister despite Portugal's elimination in the quarter-finals.

2022: FIFA World Cup Selection

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

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

In January 2023, Bruno Fernandes made his 150th appearance for Manchester United and registered his 100th goal contribution for the club. On February 26, Fernandes started in the 2023 EFL Cup final where Manchester United beat Newcastle United 2-0, winning his first trophy with the club.

July 2023: Named club captain

In July 2023, Bruno Fernandes was named as the club captain, replacing Harry Maguire.

2023: FA Cup final

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

January 2024: Turned down a contract offer from Al-Hilal

In January 2024, Bruno Fernandes received a contract offer worth €100 million from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, but he turned down the deal because he felt he had unfinished business at United.

April 2024: Scored 50th Premier League goal and named Player of the Month

On April 7, 2024, Bruno Fernandes scored his 50th Premier League goal. Later in April 2024, he was named Manchester United Player of the Month after scoring seven goals in six appearances.

May 2024: Selected in the 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024

On May 21, 2024, Bruno Fernandes was selected in the 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.

2024: Continued World Cup form during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers

Bruno Fernandes continued his World Cup form during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers in March. He finished the qualifying campaign as the top assister with eight assists.

2024: UEFA European Championship Selection

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

2024: Europa League top scorer

In the 2024–25 season, Bruno Fernandes was named the Europa League top scorer.

March 2025: Scored a hat-trick against Real Sociedad, earned Premier League Player of the Month award, and nominated for PFA Players' Player of the Year

In March 2025, Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick against Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League. He also earned his fifth Premier League Player of the Month award. On June 20, 2025, he was nominated for the PFA Players' Player of the Year.

August 2025: Scored 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 against Burnley.

November 2025: Scored a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup qualification match

On November 16, 2025, Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick in a 9–1 win over Armenia during the FIFA World Cup qualification.

2025: UEFA Europa League final

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

2025: Set new Manchester United record for most assists in a single Premier League season

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

February 2026: Second fastest player to make 200 goal contributions in Manchester United's history

On February 7, 2026, 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: Set new Manchester United record for most assists in a single Premier League season

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

June 2026: Contract End Date

Bruno Fernandes's contract with Manchester United is set to last until June 2026 with an option to extend for another year.

2026: Secured his nation's spot at the 2026 tournament in North America

On November 16, 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.

June 2027: Contract extended with Manchester United

In August of 2024, rumours of Bruno Fernandes moving to Saudi Arabia were dispelled when his contract with Manchester United was extended to June 30, 2027.