Bruno Fernandes (born 1974)
Encyclopedia
Bruno Marcelo Pereira Fernandes, simply Bruno (born 30 June 1974 in Funchal
, Madeira
), is a retired Portuguese
professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.
In a 17-year senior career, he played for two clubs in his native region, Marítimo and Nacional, also representing F.C. Porto, albeit with no success.
neighbours A.D. Camacha
. During the following seasons, he worked his way into hometown side's starting XI, and soon became a fan favourite, in the role of playmaker
. His goal against Leeds United in the 2001–02 UEFA Cup, a thundering forty-five yard free kick
, gave Marítimo a 1–0 victory against the English
team (an aggregate of 1–3).
Subsequently, many top European clubs became interested in Bruno, as he earned a trial with Premier League's Newcastle United
, which eventually fell through, and Bruno stayed in Portugal, joining league powerhouse Futebol Clube do Porto in April 2002. However, the dream move proved a nightmare and Bruno was soon loaned out to Marítimo during the season and Moreirense F.C. in the following, before signing for Marítimo's hometown rivals, C.D. Nacional, in 2004–05.
After three seasons (in his first, he scored in a 4–2 shock win at Sporting Clube de Portugal, on May 22), which included two more UEFA Cup participations (first-round exits against Sevilla FC
and FC Rapid Bucureşti), Bruno re-signed for a third spell with boyhood team Marítimo, on a free transfer.
After having contributed with 18 games and two goals as Marítimo finished sixth in the 2009–10 season, thus returning to the Europa League, 36-year old Bruno retired from football, amassing first division totals of 282 games and 20 goals.
Funchal
Funchal is the largest city, the municipal seat and the capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira. The city has a population of 112,015 and has been the capital of Madeira for more than five centuries.-Etymology:...
, Madeira
Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
), is a retired Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.
In a 17-year senior career, he played for two clubs in his native region, Marítimo and Nacional, also representing F.C. Porto, albeit with no success.
Football career
A graduate of C.S. Marítimo's youth academy, Bruno made his debut with the first team in 1992, aged 18, but was soon loaned to MadeiraMadeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
neighbours A.D. Camacha
A.D. Camacha
Associação Desportiva da Camacha known as A.D.Camacha is a Portuguese football club from Madeira and founded in 1978. They currently play in the Portuguese Second Division Zona Norte and last season which was 2007/08 they finished 9th place in the division. They currently play their home games in...
. During the following seasons, he worked his way into hometown side's starting XI, and soon became a fan favourite, in the role of playmaker
Playmaker
In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals....
. His goal against Leeds United in the 2001–02 UEFA Cup, a thundering forty-five yard free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
, gave Marítimo a 1–0 victory against the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
team (an aggregate of 1–3).
Subsequently, many top European clubs became interested in Bruno, as he earned a trial with Premier League's Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, which eventually fell through, and Bruno stayed in Portugal, joining league powerhouse Futebol Clube do Porto in April 2002. However, the dream move proved a nightmare and Bruno was soon loaned out to Marítimo during the season and Moreirense F.C. in the following, before signing for Marítimo's hometown rivals, C.D. Nacional, in 2004–05.
After three seasons (in his first, he scored in a 4–2 shock win at Sporting Clube de Portugal, on May 22), which included two more UEFA Cup participations (first-round exits against Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
and FC Rapid Bucureşti), Bruno re-signed for a third spell with boyhood team Marítimo, on a free transfer.
After having contributed with 18 games and two goals as Marítimo finished sixth in the 2009–10 season, thus returning to the Europa League, 36-year old Bruno retired from football, amassing first division totals of 282 games and 20 goals.