- Nuno Espirito Santo says Mateus Fernandes deserves his Portugal debut
- The West Ham boss has praised the midfielder
- Fernandes could make his debut tonight when Portugal play the USA
West Ham United have had a number of players out on international duty this week. Mads Hermansen made his senior debut for Denmark and another Hammer could follow suit tonight.
Mateus Fernandes has been one of West Ham‘s standout performers this season and the 21-year-old has been rewarded with a call up to the Portugal senior team. The midfielder is yet to appear for the national team after going through all the youth ranks for the nation.
According to reports in Portugal, Fernandes is expected to get his debut tonight. No one is more happy for the player than the Iron’s boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
Speaking via Maisfutebol, Nuno was full of praise for the midfielder.
“Hopefully, he can help the national team. I’m very, very happy for him. He deserves it,” he said.
“He’s having a fantastic season, he works hard, and he’s very talented and disciplined. I hope he comes back well because we have an important game on Sunday.”
Mateus Fernandes’s stellar West Ham season
Since joining from Southampton in the summer, Fernandes has been one of West Ham‘s best player this season. Like most in the squad, the 21-year-old began slowly under former boss Graham Potter but has shown his talent since Nuno was installed at the helm.
Mateus Fernandes’s 2025/26 West Ham United Statistics
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 30 | 3 | 3 |
In 30 appearances this season, the midfielder has six goal involvements whilst playing in several different roles. Now playing a little deeper, the soon-to-be-Portugal international has helped to control the tempo within this Hammers side, connecting the strong defence with the attacking wide players.
There are few players more important to Nuno’s West Ham than Fernandes. The 21-year-old is the player that connects the dots and get’s the team moving the ball forward. The Irons faithful will hope his debut will continue to instil him with confidence to bring back to the London Stadium.
