Bruno Fernandes is Portugal’s prolific creator

Reputation on the International Stage

Fernandes made his debut at the 2018 World Cup, but played a starring role for Portugal in 2022. He scored twice and provided three assists in Qatar, fueling the team to a quarterfinal appearance. Both goals came in a 2-0 win over Uruguay to secure passage to the knockout stage. It was in 2022 that Fernandes began to shine as a leader in the team. Cristiano Ronaldo’s age and hero ball tendencies were catching up with him, and the team arguably played its best football as a unit without the world’s greatest ever goalscorer on the pitch. That was in part down to the flourishing creativity with Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and a host of young wide players. Four years later, he is still a vital player for Portugal, having scored 28 goals in 87 appearances.

Portugal at the World Cup

Expect plenty of misplaced “The Last Dance” messaging from this World Cup with Portugal included. It’s certainly the last World Cup for Ronaldo (41), but it may also be the last big opportunity for the likes of Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo who are all 31-years-old. Like many bigger national teams there is a fairly constant rate of turnover for Portugal, but at present it feels like a real changing of the guard moment.

• Portugal vs DR Congo — June 17 — 1 p.m. ET from Houston (NRG Stadium)
• Portugal vs Uzbekistan — June 23 — 1 p.m. ET from Houston (NRG Stadium)
• Portugal vs Colombia — June 27 — 7:30 p.m. ET from Miami (Hard Rock Stadium) *Verizon fuels soccer culture and community impact year-round – uniting fans, supporting local businesses and creating unforgettable moments that celebrate the global game.*