A £40 million move to West Ham United, a superb debut away to Nottingham Forest, and then captaining his national team to a crushing victory only five days later. It’s been quite the week for Mateus Fernandes.
And while some have accused this Hammers team of lacking leaders outside of captain marvel Jarrod Bowen – former goalkeeper Rob Green fears a mistake was made when letting so many experienced players leave over the summer – their new Iberian midfielder is clearly someone who relishes the responsibility.
Mateus Fernandes fulfilled a childhood ‘dream’ when he led out Portugal as captain on Friday, taking the armband for the Under-21 side for the very first time.
And, on what was his 17th cap at this level, the £40 million signing from Southampton picked up where he left off at the City Ground five days previously.
Mateus Fernandes became an immediate fan favourite on his first appearance in West Ham United colours. Translating his club form onto the international stage, it was he who helped Portugal break the deadlock during Friday’s 5-0 obliteration of Azerbaijan.
Mateus Fernandes during Nottingham Forest v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes captains Portugal to Azerbaijan victory
One of Fernandes’ first acts in a West Ham shirt was, on the banks of the Trent, was to play a zippy one-two with Lucas Paqueta, breezing away from one Nottingham Forest midfielder before winning a foul.
Clearly, those quick combinations are something to watch out for. Fernandes used a similar give-and-go to break down Azerbaijan’s resistance, before rolling the ball sideways for Porto sensation Rodrigo Mora to roll home.
As he was against Forest, meanwhile – well, until withdrawal late on coincided with Crysencio Summerville’s game-breaking introduction – Fernandes was at the heart of most of the good things Portugal did during his time on the pitch.
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The captain leading by example.
“Mateus Fernandes pulled out all the stops and displayed his muscle at speed through the centre of the pitch, breaking into the Azerbaijan box with a good combination with Gustavo Varela,” Mais Futebol write in their post-match debrief.
“Once inside the box, past the opposing defence, he fed Rodrigo Mora, who had time to line up and choose the spot from which to find the net. The goal that paved the way for victory.
“The captain’s armband announced the West Ham midfielder as the heart of the team, and that proved to be the case. He took charge, acting as the strategist and the balance of the Portuguese team, playing practically the entire game through his feet.
“He set up the opening goal of the match.”
The Portugal national team logo
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Throughout his career, from Sporting Lisbon to Southampton and beyond, Mateus Fernandes has made the effort to watch his captains closely, the knowledge that he can learn a lot from the most vocal, inspirational player in the dressing room.
That is a role he envisages for himself, too, with Jarrod Bowen the latest for Fernandes to pore over.
“I can reveal that I’m one of the captains,” a delighted Fernandes told the official Portuguese Football Federation website pre-match. “I have a new responsibility that I’ve accepted with great pleasure.
“It’s something I’ve been working on. It’s important to have leaders on the teams. I’ve always tried to stay close to the captains throughout my career because they’re the people who try to help with the group’s ups and downs.
“Representing the national team is something unique, regardless of level. It’s something every child dreams of.”