With the technical ability to play in the wide and advanced areas, plus the tenacity and intensity to do the dirty work, Mateus Fernandes is the full package as a midfielder.Coming through the ranks at Sporting, Fernandes was all too aware of those that came before him. There were “many photos of Cristiano” he said. “You want to be like him. You want to win trophies like him. You want to play like him because he’s the best. I think this helps.”There were others, too. Bruno Fernandes was playing for Sporting at the time. Daniel Bragança was also regarded as a role model by Mateus.However, it’s abundantly clear Fernandes is forging his own path. After an £85 million pound transfer to Tottenham, here’s everything you need to know about Matheus Fernandes from leaving his family aged 12, through to his commitment to a shirt number.Photo by Luis Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesAway from home: Mateus Fernandes’ playing career in focusMateus Fernandes kicked off his playing career with Olhanense, his hometown club.At this stage of his life, football was all about fun. It was enjoying time playing with friends. It was playing without pressure. But that all changed when he was recruited by Sporting and signed up to their academy.Fernandes left home aged just 12. The initial years were difficult but the COVID lockdown, when it came, is something the midfielder credits with making him stronger. After being promoted to the B-team for the 2021-22 season, where he scored three goals and registered three assists across 38 games, he was rewarded with a professional contract. That featured a €60 million release clause. Eventual Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim, brought Fernandes into the first-team environment. His first-team debut came as a late substitute versus Casa Pia, but opportunities proved hard to come by.That led to a loan to Estoril for the 2023-24 season. Here, he played 35 times, scoring once. Fernandes was part of a team that reached their first cup final in 80 years, too. His progress was enough for Southampton to make a move, signing him up to a five-year contract ahead of the 2024-25 season.His first season in England brought two goals in 36 of Southampton’s 38 Premier League games. It also ended in relegation. Not that, that would be much of an issue for Fernandes. Despite starting the season in the Championship, he was soon handed another chance in the Premier League.A £40 million-plus move to West Ham, making him the third-biggest signing at the time, followed. But a similar fate did too. West Ham fell short in the race for survival against Tottenham. Fernandes managed four goals in 38 games across all competitions and was nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season Award, showcasing his progress.He was handed another reprieve and escape from England’s second tier soon after. His value more than doubling, too, showed that while success on the pitch had been hard to come by, the impression he’d been making was in little doubt.Why did Tottenham sign Mateus Fernandes?Tottenham made the move for the Portuguese in the summer of 2026 for a reported £85 million transfer fee.Introducing the new signing, Sporting Director, Johan Lange, listed his “outstanding technical ability, intelligence and maturity” as key assets that be brings to N17.“And, even at a young age,” Lange continued. “[He] has shown he can perform consistently in demanding, high-pressure environments.”The versatile midfielder has proven himself out wide, in advanced positions – including as a number 10, He’s most comfortable and most at home in a deeper central position, however. That’s where he can receive the ball under pressure before progressing the play – making it little wonder why Tottenham Head Coach, Roberto De Zerbi, was a fan.The Italian cited his ability to combine quality on the ball with intensity and intelligence as why he admired him. “Mateus is comfortable under pressure, can progress the ball, works hard for the team and has the courage to make things happen in difficult moments”.Is Mateus Fernandes in the Portugal national team?Fernandes has been a fixture in Portugal’s youth sides. He’s made more than 40 appearances across the U18, U19, U20 and U21 age groups.He is also making inroads into the senior team. His first appearance came in March 2026, when he replaced Bruno Fernandes as a late substitute against the USA. Portugal won the game 2-0.He was not part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, however.Mateus Fernandes likes wearing the number 18 shirtMateus Fernandes was born on 10 July 2004, stands 1.78m tall and usually has #18 on his back.Joining Tottenham, Fernandes requested the number 18 with Yang Min-hyeok agreeing to swap. He wore the #82 at Sporting for 2023-24, as well as at Estoril, before switching to #28 for 2024-25.Since joining Southampton, however, Fernandes has worn the number 18 and continued to do so with each move since.The post Who is Mateus Fernandes? Tottenham’s Portuguese star following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo appeared first on Spurs Web.