Manuel Fernandes

Manuel Henrique Tavares Fernandes (Portuguese pronunciation: [mɐnuˈɛɫ fɨɾˈnɐ̃dɨʃ]; born 5 February 1986) is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Turkish club Kayserispor.

He started his professional career with Benfica at only 18, then went on to compete in England and Spain, mainly at the service of Everton and Valencia. He signed with Besiktas in January 2011, spending the following three and a half seasons with the club before joining Lokomotiv Moscow.

Fernandes represented the Portugal under-21 team in two European Championships. He made his debut with the full side in 2005, being part of the 2018 World Cup squad at the age of 32.

Club Career

Benfica

Born in Lisbon, Fernandes grew up in the capital suburb of Amadora, where he would regularly play street football with future Sporting CP and Manchester United star Nani as a child. Subsequently, he joined S.L. Benfica's youth system and made his first-team debut during the 2003–04 season under coach Jose Antonio Camacho, making an immediate impression on both the manager and the club's supporters and becoming its second youngest ever goalscorer in only his second game, a 2–1 away win against Gil Vicente FC.

Fernandes became a regular first-team in 2004–05, often partnering established Petit in central midfield, under the guidance of Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni. He helped the side win the Primeira Liga title after an 11-year drought, missing just five league games and scoring in a 2–0 away victory over Vitoria F.C. on 19 March 2005. He also made seven appearances in the campaign's UEFA Cup, in an eventual round-of-32 elimination at the hands of eventual winners PFC CSKA Moscow.

During the 2005–06 pre-season, Fernandes underwent surgery in Munich due to an inguinal hernia. He was treated by specialist Ulrike Muschaweck. In the UEFA Champions League, he scored the equalising goal in a draw at Villarreal CF in the group stage, with Benfica again only being ousted by the eventual

This page also has a version in other languages :  Мануэл Фернандеш (russian)