Nani has dropped his verdict on the reasons behind Portugal fans not seeing what former Sporting CP teammate Bruno Fernandes has “been showing in Manchester” last season.
Bruno Fernandes is a key player for Roberto Martinez and central to Portugal’s plans at this summer’s World Cup, despite underwhelming at the tournament so far.
The 31-year-old Manchester United captain started all three of Portugal’s Group K matches and Fernandes picked up an assist in the 5-0 demolition of Uzbekistan.
However, Fernandes has not found the back of the net since the start of the World Cup tournament amid Portugal’s progression to the round of 16.
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Nani rules out Man Utd legend Cristiano Ronaldo being a ‘problem’ for Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes only played 63 minutes of Portugal’s round-of-32 clash against Croatia before Portugal boss Roberto Martinez withdrew him from the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo, much like former Manchester United teammate Fernandes, made way in the second half of Portugal’s 2-1 World Cup win at the BMO Field in Toronto.
Speaking at the Portugal Football Summit in Miami, Nani insisted that former Man Utd superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is not causing issues for Fernandes’ influence.
“It’s not about Cristiano,” he said, as per The Athletic.
“There is your club, then there is the national team. For many years, for example, I was performing in the national team because I was free, and when I was in Manchester, my game was not always fluid.
“But luckily [Fernandes] has the opportunity to play every game, so I am 100 per cent sure he will show his best.
“The way he plays in Manchester means he has so much time, the ball is at his feet, and he controls the game.”
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Nani thinks that Vitinha’s Portugal role might not be allowing the Man Utd version of Bruno Fernandes to shine through
Fernandes had a sensational second half of the 2025-26 campaign at Old Trafford, including breaking the Premier League assist record for a single season.
Nani could sense Portugal fans feeling “frustrated” by not seeing the United version of Fernandes at the World Cup and he put the spotlight on Vitinha’s current role.
“He doesn’t have that space now, probably because the players behind him are taking this space,” he added.
“Vitinha takes the ball, he demands and controls the game, and [Joao] Neves and Vitinha have a great partnership in midfield.
“Bruno’s more for the last touches and in Manchester, every ball must pass by Bruno.
“He’s in the middle of it, so what Vitinha is currently doing is what Bruno does in Manchester. So, it’s difficult for him to perform his game.”
Portugal will now meet Euro 2024 champions Spain in the round of 16 at the World Cup on Monday at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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