West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes is gaining increasing international recognitionAnd his latest Portugal call-up has now been backed by strong words from someone who knows him well.
The 21-year-old has been growing in importance this season, showing greater consistency and maturity in midfield. This progression has now translated into a senior call-up for Portugal’s upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the United States.
portuguese newspaper game Adds details through comments from Filip Celikkaya, who worked closely with him at Sporting.
As we covered earlierMateus Fernandes himself said that he has personally benefited from Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival in the Premier League team. That context adds another layer to his development, especially as he moves into a demanding league.
Early development and personality
Filip Celikkaya was the coach who introduced Mateus Fernandes to senior football at Sporting B in 2021/22. He offered detailed information about the player’s initial symptoms.
“He was a shy boy, but within the group he managed to show all his talents.”
“A great guy, someone you enjoy talking to and working with. Beyond his talent and ability, he is very humble and focused.”
That combination remains central to Fernandes’s rise. Along with his technical development, his personality has also been highlighted.
Celikkaya also believes the midfielder is already operating at international level:
“He is already the present and future of the national team. We know the quality of players in his position, but being called up to the final team shows his great quality. And because of his humility, he can make a huge impact.”
Role, maturity and strategic profile
Mateus Fernandes has developed into a complete midfielder. He contributes in the deeper build-up phases and is effective closer to the final third.
Celikkaya underlines that balance. “He manages big involvement in the build-up game, but also has the ability to serve in more advanced areas.”
More importantly, they highlighted a key feature of Premier League football.
“Despite being 21 years old, he shows above average maturity for his age.”
This maturity is reflected in their decision making ability and consistency. For West Ham, that profile is valuable. The club needs midfielders who are capable of combining phases and handling pressure.
next step for him
Mateus Fernandes enters this international window without any huge expectations. Celikkaya is clear about how he should approach this.
“He has to enjoy this time with the national team. If he manages to make his debut, it would be fantastic. If not, he will continue his path of development and there will be other opportunities.”
There is also a personal aspect to this call-up. Fernandes reunited with one of his closest friends, Renato Veiga.
“I remember when I put them to play in Liga 3, after 45 minutes they were already tired, and now they are at a very high level.”
This paradox highlights how far he has come in a short time. From early struggles in senior football to earning international recognition, the trajectory is clear.
For West Ham, this call-up reinforces the feeling that they have a player to develop in both confidence and position. If this development continues, his role at the club could become even more important in the near future.
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