In Profile: Mateus Fernandes

After rising through the ranks in Lisbon, Fernandes joins an illustrious list of academy graduates from Leões - the Lions - as he now paves his own path in the game.

Sporting are, of course, renowned for developing footballing legends in Cristiano Ronaldo and Luís Figo, and Premier League stalwarts in the likes of Nani and João Moutinho.

Closer to his new home on the South Coast of England, Fernandes has followed in the footsteps of two other Lisbon graduates; José Fonte and Cédric Soares have almost 400 Southampton appearances between them after their careers also began in green and white.

Not a bad set of names for the youngster to follow, as Fernandes makes the latest and biggest jump of his career to date.

Fernandes has risen through the Sporting Lisbon academy. (Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach)

For Mateus, his journey began with local side Olhanense, based near his birthplace of Olhão some 180 miles from Lisbon.

After joining their set up at six-years-old, he was then scouted at the age of 12 and promptly moved to the Sporting CP academy in 2016.

From there, the battling yet technically gifted central midfielder excelled in the youth ranks of the 20-time Primeira Liga champions.

In 2021, at 17-years-old, he was promoted to their B team for the next significant step in his journey.

With Sporting’s youth side registered to Liga 3, the third tier of Portugal’s pyramid, Fernandes faced the challenge of regular men’s football to aid his development further.

He made 18 appearances in his debut season at the level, which was more than enough to catch the eyes of the senior side.

Making the step up to first team football. (Photo: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

In 2022, alongside a handful of youngsters from the Academy, the then 18-year-old Fernandes was called up to a pre-season training camp by first team manager Rúben Amorin.

Once again, he stood out. A combination of aggressive midfield play and confident actions in possession and passing impressed the coaching staff and set up a milestone 2022/23 campaign.

Fernandes signed his first professional contract on October 14th 2022, and made his first team debut eight days later in the Primeira Liga as a late introduction in a 3-1 win over Casa Pia.

He went on to make seven senior appearances, including a Champions League debut - playing 30 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur - and a Europa League debut.

Fernandes also excelled at youth level, as he helped Sporting reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League in a season that had firmly put him on the radar of supporters in his home country.

In Champions League action against Spurs. (Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Mateus had proved he was ready for regular senior games, and a loan to Estoril proved just that in the 2023/24 campaign.

As his parent club lifted their 20th league title, Fernandes made 35 appearances for Estoril and earned himself a priceless full season of top flight football.

With his ability proven in the top division, and an international milestone of a Portugal Under-21s call-up now to his name, the midfielder has been tipped as an exciting prospect for club and country.

So, ready for the next challenge, with over 80 appearances under the belt at just 20-years-old, Russell Martin’s Saints came calling with a “dream” opportunity.

“For all players it’s a dream to come to England.” Fernandes said, after swapping the Primeira Liga for the Premier League.

There’s no doubt it will be a test for the youngster but, if he continues to rise to the challenges, who knows what the biggest stage has in store.