History of Bruno Fernandes in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 12, 2026

Bruno Fernandes is a professional Portuguese footballer renowned for his role as an attacking midfielder and captain for Manchester United. Known for his elite vision, technical proficiency, and dead-ball expertise, he has established himself as one of the most productive playmakers in the Premier League since joining the club in 2020. Before his time in England, Fernandes gained prominence at Sporting CP, where his prolific goal-scoring record earned him widespread acclaim. A crucial figure for the Portugal national team, he has represented his country in multiple major international tournaments. His playing style is defined by his high work rate, leadership qualities, and exceptional ability to create goal-scoring opportunities, making him a vital tactical component for both his club and country.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

10 July 2018: Contract Renewal with Sporting CP

On 10 July 2018, following the resignation of president Bruno de Carvalho, Fernandes signed a new five-year contract with Sporting CP, which included a €100 million release clause and an improved salary.

15 May 2018: Attack at Sporting CP Training Ground

On 15 May 2018, Bruno Fernandes and several teammates were injured during a violent incident where approximately 50 Sporting CP supporters stormed the training ground after the team failed to qualify for the Champions League.

16 August 2016: Transfer to Sampdoria

On 16 August 2016, Bruno Fernandes officially moved to the Italian club Sampdoria on a loan deal that included an obligation for a permanent transfer.

17 January 2023: Manchester Derby Comeback Win

On 17 January 2023, Fernandes played a pivotal role in Manchester United's 2-1 comeback victory against Manchester City in the Manchester derby, scoring a controversial goal that helped extend the team's winning streak to nine games.

18 January 2023: 100th Goal Contribution Milestone

On 18 January 2023, Fernandes scored in a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, marking his 100th goal contribution for Manchester United and solidifying his status as one of the club's top-performing midfielders in the Premier League era.

1981: António Oliveira's established goal record

In the 1981–82 season, António Oliveira set a club record for the most goals scored by a midfielder, a record that stood until it was surpassed by Bruno Fernandes in March 2019.

September 1994: Birth of Bruno Fernandes

On 8 September 1994, Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes was born, who would later become a world-renowned professional footballer known for his role as an attacking midfielder for Manchester United and the Portugal national team.

Others born on this day/year

2003: Baseline for Premier League chance creation records

The 2003–04 season serves as the starting point for modern Premier League chance creation statistics, against which Bruno Fernandes' 2022–23 performance of 119 chances was measured.

2006: Cristiano Ronaldo's Premier League Player of the Month achievement

During the 2006-07 season, Cristiano Ronaldo set a precedent by winning back-to-back Premier League Player of the Month awards, a feat that Bruno Fernandes would later match in 2020.

August 2012: Transfer to Novara

In August 2012, Bruno Fernandes joined the Italian club Novara, marking a significant transition in his early professional career where he initially faced personal and linguistic challenges before eventually thriving on the pitch.

2013: Bruno Fernandes Joins Udinese

During the summer of 2013, Bruno Fernandes opted to join the Italian club Udinese in a co-ownership agreement to secure more consistent first-team playing time, choosing them over interest from Inter Milan and Juventus.

2013: Transfer to Udinese

In 2013, Bruno Fernandes transitioned from the Serie B club Novara to the Serie A team Udinese, marking a significant advancement in his professional football career.

2016: 2016 Summer Olympics Representation

In 2016, Bruno Fernandes represented Portugal as part of their national team at the Summer Olympics.

June 2017: Transfer to Sporting CP

On 27 June 2017, following his participation in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Bruno Fernandes signed a five-year contract with the Portuguese club Sporting CP for a transfer fee reported at €8.5 million plus additional bonuses.

2017: Signing with Sporting CP

After spending five years developing his skills in Italy, Bruno Fernandes returned to Portugal in 2017 to sign with the club Sporting CP.

2017: Senior International Debut

Bruno Fernandes made his official debut for the Portugal senior national football team in 2017.

2018: 2018 FIFA World Cup Squad Selection

Bruno Fernandes was selected to be part of the Portugal national team squad competing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

2018: Domestic Success with Sporting CP

During the 2018 season, Fernandes achieved a major milestone by winning the Taça da Liga, while also earning recognition as the Primeira Liga Player of the Year and a spot in the Team of the Year.

2018: Recognition as Primeira Liga Player of the Year

Following the conclusion of the 2018–19 season, Bruno Fernandes was awarded the Primeira Liga Player of the Year title for the second consecutive time due to his exceptional performances throughout 2018 and 2019.

March 2019: Breaking the club record for goals by a midfielder

On 3 March 2019, Bruno Fernandes scored his 23rd competitive goal of the season against Portimonense, breaking the long-standing record held by António Oliveira since the 1981–82 season.

May 2019: Record-breaking goal scoring and cup victory

During May 2019, Fernandes achieved several feats: on 5 May he scored a hat-trick against Belenenses SAD to become the highest-scoring Portuguese midfielder in a single season, and on 25 May 2019, he scored his final goal of the campaign in the Taça de Portugal final victory against Porto.

2019: UEFA Nations League Victory and Individual Honor

Bruno Fernandes won the UEFA Nations League Finals with Portugal in 2019 and earned a place in the Team of the Tournament.

2019: Prodigious 2019-20 Season Start

During the 2019 season, Bruno Fernandes showcased exceptional form by scoring seven goals in his first 10 appearances, highlighted by a scoring streak spanning six consecutive games, making him only the third Sporting player in the 21st century to achieve this feat.

2019: Continued Success and Record-Breaking Season

In 2019, Fernandes secured his second consecutive Taça da Liga and the Taça de Portugal, while also setting a record of 33 goals across all competitions during the 2018–19 campaign, becoming the highest-scoring midfielder in Europe.

January 2020: Transfer to Manchester United

In January 2020, Bruno Fernandes signed a contract with Manchester United for an initial fee of €55 million, marking one of the highest transfer fees for a player departing the Portuguese domestic league.

2020: UEFA European Championship Participation

Bruno Fernandes participated in the UEFA European Championship as a member of the Portugal squad during the 2020 tournament.

February 2021: Record-equalling win against Southampton

On 2 February 2021, Bruno Fernandes contributed one goal and two assists during Manchester United's historic 9–0 home victory against Southampton, a performance that matched the record for the biggest win in Premier League history.

2021: UEFA Europa League Finalist and Top Scorer

In 2021, Bruno Fernandes helped guide his team to the UEFA Europa League final and was recognized as the competition's top scorer for the season.

2021: 2021-22 UEFA Champions League Performance

Throughout the 2021-22 season, Bruno Fernandes emerged as the leading assist provider in the UEFA Champions League, recording seven total assists despite broader team struggles.

April 2022: Contract Extension with Manchester United

On 1 April 2022, Bruno Fernandes signed a new contract extension that solidified his position at Manchester United until June 2026, including an additional one-year option.

July 2022: Bruno Fernandes assumes squad number 8 at Manchester United

On 1 July 2022, Manchester United officially announced that Bruno Fernandes had changed his squad number from 18 to 8 following the departure of Juan Mata. This number holds personal significance for Fernandes, as it matches the number he wore at Sporting CP and serves as a tribute to his father and his own birth date.

2022: Record-breaking playmaking performance

During the 2022–23 Premier League season, Bruno Fernandes created 119 chances, marking the highest recorded number of chances created by a Manchester United player in a single campaign since the 2003–04 season.

2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup Squad Selection

In 2022, Bruno Fernandes was named to the Portugal national team squad for the FIFA World Cup tournament.

2023: FA Cup Final Appearance

In 2023, Bruno Fernandes played a key role in helping Manchester United reach the FA Cup final.

2023: 2023 FA Cup Final and Champions League Qualification

In 2023, Manchester United qualified for the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League following a third-place league finish, and Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty in the 2023 FA Cup final, though the team lost 2–1 to Manchester City.

2024: UEFA European Championship Participation

In 2024, Bruno Fernandes competed for Portugal in the UEFA European Championship tournament.

2025: Second UEFA Nations League Title

Bruno Fernandes achieved his second UEFA Nations League Finals title with the Portugal national team in 2025.

2025: Second UEFA Europa League Final Appearance

During the 2025 season, Bruno Fernandes once again contributed to his club's success by reaching the UEFA Europa League final and securing the title of the competition's top scorer.

June 2026: Contractual Expiration Date

As of June 2026, the primary term of the contract signed by Bruno Fernandes in April 2022 reaches its scheduled conclusion.

2026: 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad Selection

Bruno Fernandes received a call-up to represent Portugal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

2026: Individual Award Clean Sweep and Record Breaking

In 2026, Bruno Fernandes received the FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season awards. Additionally, he was named Premier League Playmaker of the Season after recording 21 assists, a performance that set a new record for most assists in a single Premier League season.

26 February 2023: 2023 EFL Cup Final Victory

On 26 February 2023, Fernandes won his first trophy with Manchester United after starting in the 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in the 2023 EFL Cup final.

28 August 2016: Serie A League Debut

On 28 August 2016, twelve days after his move, Bruno Fernandes made his debut in Serie A, playing six minutes during a 2–1 victory against Atalanta.

3 January 2023: 150th Appearance for Manchester United

On 3 January 2023, Bruno Fernandes reached a significant career milestone by making his 150th appearance for Manchester United, during which he provided an assist for Marcus Rashford in a 3-0 victory against Bournemouth.