Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has recalled his ’emotional’ first memory of being with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal squad.
Bruno Fernandes joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, making the same move Cristiano Ronaldo did 17 years earlier.
The midfielder also managed to link up with the footballing legend at Old Trafford during his second stint at the club. Though, his first moments alongside him came in the national team.
Fernandes did not get a call up to Portugal’s senior team until August 2017, shortly after signing for Sporting from Serie A side Sampdoria at the age of 22.
He did not play in either of the fixtures during that international break, eventually making his Portugal debut three months later during a 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on Ronaldo’s YouTube channel this week, the United captain recalled an ’emotional’ memory with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner during his first call-up with the national team.
A nervous Fernandes arrived at the camp and felt uneasy meeting some of the established stars, but it was Ronaldo who approached the young midfielder and spoke to him about his form in Portugal.
“It’s funny, but also emotional you know,” began Fernandes. “The first time I came to national team I was obviously surrounded by amazing players that I’ve always looked up to.
“Obviously I was really shy idea want to speak to anyone I was giving handshakes looking down and Cristiano wasn’t there when I arrived, because I arrived really early… obviously first call-up.
“And when Cristiano arrives, he starts speaking to me, says my name and was like, ‘Oh I’m watching your games, you’re scoring goals really well, you’re doing really well for Sporting’.
“I remember going to the room and speaking with my friends and family, ‘How does he know? Why is he watching my games? How does he even know my name?’ because it was the first time I was calling up for the national team.
“You look up these kind of players and you already think that they didn’t they don’t know who you are!”
While it may have been a small gesture, a younger player hearing that from a legendary player like Ronaldo would immediately put you at ease.
Fernandes, now the captain at Old Trafford, has clearly taken on this leadership role, regularly speaking to the young talents at Carrington and trying to help any of the new players in the squad feel welcome.
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