Sporting outcast impresses, catches Roberto Martínez’s eye | OneFootball

The season for West Ham has not exactly been famous for a string of good results, but the most recent run of results has caught the attention of the international press, which highlights Mateus Fernandes, in Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad, as reported by the daily AS this Monday.

The former Sporting midfielder has been one of the pillars of the Portuguese coach’s team in the Premier League, which is currently on a three-game winning streak, and to top it all off, he scored a stunning goal in their most recent 3-1 victory over Sunderland.

These performances, in which he has been the leader in the middle of the West Ham side managed by NES, have brought attention to the player in Spain, where it is believed that the 21-year-old could be a surprise inclusion in Roberto Martínez’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in June and July.

AS admits that Mateus Fernandes “would be surrounded by established figures in the Portuguese national team, such as Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Neves, and Bernardo Silva, but could be an option capable of bringing energy and depth as a ‘secret weapon’ off the bench.” The Spanish publication even states that Roberto Martínez is “monitoring Mateus Fernandes’ progress for a possible call-up to this summer’s World Cup.”

Having completed most of his training at the Alcochete Academy, Mateus Fernandes – valued at 32 million euros – played 10 matches for Sporting’s first team between 2022/23 and 2024/25, during which he scored one goal and provided one assist. In the summer of 2024, the player moved to Southampton for 15 million euros, in a deal that could rise to 20 million with bonuses.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.