M. Fernandes🇵🇹

Mateus Fernandes Height

178cm (5ft 10in)

Mateus Fernandes Nationality

Portuguese

Mateus Fernandes Religion

Catholic

Mateus Fernandes Net Worth

$8 million

Mateus Fernandes Weekly Wage

£50,000 per week

Mateus Fernandes Contract

Expires June 2029

Mateus Fernandes Club

West Ham United

Mateus Fernandes Position

Midfielder

Mateus Fernandes Age

21 years old

Mateus Fernandes Preferred Foot

Right

Mateus Fernandes Hometown

Olhão, Portugal

Early Life

Mateus Gonçalo Espanha Fernandes was born on 10 July 2004 in Olhão, a fishing town in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. He joined local club Olhanense's youth setup at the age of six before Sporting CP's scouts spotted him at 12 and brought him to the capital. He spent five years in Sporting's famous academy before breaking into the B team in 2021 and signing his first professional contract in 2022 with a release clause of €60 million — a sign of the enormous faith the club placed in his potential.

Breakthrough

After graduating from Sporting CP's academy, Fernandes made his senior debut for the first team and spent time on loan at Estoril in 2023 to gain regular first-team experience. That loan spelled the beginning of his professional career in earnest. Southampton came calling in 2024, paying around £15 million to bring him to the Premier League, and despite the club's relegation he announced himself as one of the most exciting young midfielders in English football.

Career

After impressing for Sporting CP's B team and making senior appearances for the first team, Fernandes joined Southampton in the summer of 2024 for a fee reported at around £15 million. Despite Southampton's relegation from the Premier League that season, he was one of their standout performers and attracted significant attention. West Ham United paid £40 million to bring him to London in the summer of 2025, and despite the Hammers' difficult season ending in relegation, Fernandes established himself as one of the Premier League's most promising young midfielders. His performances attracted interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and PSG, with United emerging as favourites after making contact with his representatives and with Bruno Fernandes personally recommending him to the club hierarchy.

Personal Life

Fernandes is single and keeps a low profile away from football. He is known as a focused and professional character who has spoken in interviews about his admiration for Bruno Fernandes and his desire to follow a similar path from Portugal to the Premier League's biggest stages. He represents Portugal at senior level having come through every youth age group.

Legacy

Fernandes is an all-action central midfielder who combines defensive tenacity with progressive passing and an eye for goal. He presses with intensity, wins the ball cleanly and immediately looks to drive forward. Technically refined from his years at Sporting CP's academy, he is comfortable in tight spaces and capable of playing in multiple midfield positions. Described by multiple scouts as a more modern, dynamic version of Bruno Guimaraes.

Fernandes signed his first Sporting CP contract with a €60 million release clause at just 18 years old.

He is the third Portuguese midfielder to play for West Ham United after Álvaro Arbeloa and Manuel Fernandes.

Bruno Fernandes personally recommended him to Manchester United's hierarchy despite sharing the same surname.

He scored on his West Ham debut and became the first West Ham player since 2019 to score in three consecutive Premier League games.

Fernandes grew up in Olhão, a small fishing town 60km from Faro — the same region that produced multiple Portuguese internationals.