Mateus Fernandes has finally secured a place in Roberto Martinez’s Portugal squad with the West Ham United midfielder called up for the very first time.
Now, not to brag or anything, but Hammers News did predict that Sporting Lisbon academy graduate Fernandes would be rewarded for a fine debut season at the London Stadium.
Roberto Martinez lauded Fernandes’ development during his final few days at Southampton. The only surprise, regarding his long-awaited first senior call-up, is that it came this long.
Serious question – are you taking a peak Mateus Fernandes or a peak Lucas Paqueta in your dream midfield?!
A graphic showing Mateus Fernandes being voted Man of the Match by West Ham fans vs Burnley.
Credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista
Eight months after Martinez said Mateus Fernandes was ‘close’ to earning a spot in his squad, West Ham United’s stand-out performer is in at last.
West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes to make Portugal debut
The Algarve-born playmaker, who has captained the Portuguese Under-21s since the autumn, is included alongside Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes, PSG duo Vitinha and Joao Neves, and ex-Wolves talisman Ruben Neves.
Samu Costa of Real Mallorca and FC Porto’s Rodrigo Mora are also involved, as Martinez rests Bernardo Silva. Joao Palhinha is also left out, in order to recover from the concussion he suffered during Tottenham’s 5-2 Champions League thrashing by Atletico Madrid.
“Regarding Mateus Fernandes, what he’s doing now is incredible,” former Everton, Wigan Athletic, Swansea City and Belgium coach Martinez said at a press conference on Friday.
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“We all know his journey and what he did in the under-21s.”
Mateus Fernandes captained Portugal to an 11-0 thrashing of Gibraltar in October. Since being given the armband, the Under-21s have won three out of four matches by an aggregate score of 18-0.
“It’s very important for us to see what he can do,” Martinez adds. “His energy, his versatility… He deserves a call-up to the national team.”
How does Mateus Fernandes compare to a young Declan Rice? 🇵🇹
What can he still IMPROVE upon?
West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at London Stadium on January 24, 2026 in London, England.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Fernandes dreams of playing for Portugal at the World Cup
In an interview with DAZN in February, Fernandes opened up on his World Cup ambitions. A senior Portugal debut, just three months before the tournament starts, would mean that dream suddenly looks a lot more realistic.
“[A World Cup place] is a goal I’ve set for myself. It was one of the objectives I set at the start of this season, to maintain the consistency required to be among those selected for the World Cup,” the 21-year-old said.
“I believe our national team is currently one of the best in the world. The quality of the squad is undeniable.
“Therefore, it is up to me to demonstrate quality and consistency, and to prove that I can add something to the team.”
Portugal will face Mexico and then the United States on March 29th and April 1st respectively. It can be presumed that Fernandes will start at least one of those games, with Martinez obviously keen to give a few youngsters and fringe players the chance to show what they can do on the eve of the tournament.
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