2022 Men’s World Cup Power Players: Breaking Down Bruno Fernandes' Game
Bruno Fernandes may not be the most famous player on Portugal's men's soccer team, but he'll be an important playmaker and crucial to Portugal's hopes at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Fernandes' teammate for both club and country, Cristiano Ronaldo, is certainly more well-known, but the 28-year-old midfield magician can make something out of nothing in an instant.
Fernandes only has nine international goals, but recently he has come up with some fantastic and meaningful strikes on the international stage.
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Portugal will need Fernandes to be at his best in Qatar because it faces a tough Group H that also features Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea.
This article was produced in partnership with Prada Luna Rossa.
Top Club Highlights
As shown in the clips above, Fernandes is capable of producing incredible goals in a variety of ways, ranging from efficient finishing in the box to long-range strikes from well outside it.
While success according to Manchester United's lofty standards has been fleeting in the last several years, Fernandes has been a bright spot and a fixture of the team's attack since his arrival from Sporting CP in January of 2020.
He's been consistently productive and has excelled amid changes to his manager and supporting cast at United, notching 38 goals in 99 appearances.
Top Portugal Highlights
Fernandes has become more of a big-game player for Portugal over the last 24 months.
Seven of his nine international goals have come over the last two years, including as Portugal booked its latest trip to the World Cup.
Fernandes' most memorable performance to date for Portugal came on the night the team booked its ticket to Qatar. He scored twice against North Macedonia in one of the three European playoff finals to secure a 2-0 win for his team.
The last goal he scored for his country came in the UEFA Nations League against the Czech Republic in September.
Biggest Strengths
Fernandes has displayed a flair for the spectacular with his goals for Manchester United and Portugal, but he is also one of the best playmakers headed to Qatar.
Fernandes owns 26 assists in the Premier League for Manchester United. He also has 13 assists between his UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League appearances for the Red Devils.
He also ranks fifth in the EPL this season in key passes with 25. Only Kevin De Bruyne, Andreas Pereira, James Maddison and Kieran Trippier have more. He is also seventh in expected assists and ranks eighth in passes completed into the 18-yard box, per FBRef.
His ability to work the ball into the final third can make the difference in a tight game.
World Cup Outlook
Fernandes needs to be at his best from the start of the World Cup.
Portugal has to play Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in that order in Group H. One slip-up could put the team's knockout-round chances at risk.
Between Fernandes, Ronaldo and other stars such as Manchester City's Bernardo Silva, Portugal should have enough quality to make it out of the group and has done so in three of its last four World Cup appearances.
There may be a little extra motivation for Fernandes and his teammates to do well since Portugal exited in the round of 16 in its title defense at UEFA Euro 2020, and it hasn't made it past that stage a World Cup since 2006.
A slip-up leading to a second-place finish in the group stage could earn then a match against Brazil in the first knockout round, and even a strong showing could see them in a tough quarterfinal matchup against Belgium. They're in a tough part of the bracket, and Fernandes will be one of several players who will need to be at his best for Portugal to progress deep in the tournament.
