The 21-year-old midfielder got his first touches in Olhanense’s youth system and, like Gonçalo Ramos, absorbed the character of coach António Paulo.
A standout player during Nuno Espírito Santo’s difficult season at West Ham, Mateus Fernandes continues to establish himself in the Premier League and made his debut for the national team in the United States in the early hours of Wednesday . In 30 appearances for the Hammers, the 21-year-old midfielder has accumulated three goals and three assists.
Born in Olhao, where he first started playing football, Mateus Fernandes was linked to Sporting between 2016 and 2024, with a loan spell at Estoril in between. In 2024 he moved to Southampton for €15.5 million. A year later, he brought in €44 million for the Saints.
In England, everything is different, starting with the climate. Last season was difficult; we lost almost every game. But you need to show personality and quality. It was my best season, and I learned a lot. I lived alone and learned a lot on my own. Now I live with my girlfriend, and the coach is Portuguese, which helps.”
If I want to go to the World Cup, then I have to be professional every day, he began by saying in an interview with “The Sun.
It’s been almost 16 years since Mateus Fernandes took his first steps at Olhanense, with António Paulo = better known as Toze = as his first coach. And to whom he dedicates a tattoo. Antonio Paulo was a victim of cancer when Mateus Fernandes was a child.
This tattoo means a lot to me. Before every game, in the locker room, I put one of his jerseys in my seat. It’s my lucky star. He was my mentor in football. When I was 10 or 11 years old, he died of cancer. It was a difficult time. I talk to him every day. So, I try to make him proud.”
Besides Mateus Fernandes, António Paulo impacted the lives of other children and young people from the Algarve region, such as Gonçalo Ramos.
“Tozé cared about your family. He would go to restaurants with us, pay for our trips. He knew it wasn’t just about football. In my village, only Gonçalo Ramos and I reached this level in our careers. The most important thing is relationships, friends, and he showed that every week, continued Mateus Fernandes.
Regarding his debut for the national team, the West Ham midfielder still has a dream to fulfill.
Having Cristiano Ronaldo in the group would make me feel more pressure. He’s the greatest player in my country and in the world. I hope to play with him, he concluded.
West Ham is the first team in the Premier League relegation zone , one point behind Tottenham.