Bruno Fernandes Reveals Transfer Advice Ignored by Ruben Amorim After Portugal’s Win Against Armenia
Bruno Fernandes has shed light on a transfer decision that he believes his former Sporting Lisbon coach, Ruben Amorim, may come to regret. Fresh from Portugal’s comfortable win over Armenia in the Euro qualifiers, the Manchester United captain revealed that he had personally urged Amorim to sign one of his national teammates during the summer window, but the advice was brushed aside.
Instead of taking Fernandes’s recommendation, Amorim went ahead with the signing of Leon, a foreign addition to the Sporting squad whose impact so far has been underwhelming. Fernandes admitted he was disappointed, stressing that the player he suggested would have been a perfect fit for Amorim’s system. He didn’t name the mystery teammate directly, but many in Portugal believe it could be one of the breakout stars from the Seleção’s current qualifying campaign, several of whom impressed in the 3-0 win against Armenia.
Reflecting on the matter, Fernandes noted that he sees this player’s quality every day in national team training and that Amorim’s choice to look elsewhere was a missed opportunity. His comments came with a thinly veiled reminder that Leon has yet to shine at Sporting, while the Portuguese talent in question continues to make waves for the national side.
The speculation surrounding the identity of the player has only intensified online, with names such as João Neves and Pedro Neto being thrown into the mix. Fans have been quick to back Fernandes, with many claiming Amorim overlooked a golden chance to strengthen Sporting with homegrown quality. Social media was flooded with reactions, with supporters pointing out that Amorim’s stubbornness in ignoring Fernandes’s tip may prove costly if Leon fails to live up to expectations.
Though Fernandes and Amorim have always been respectful toward each other, the midfielder’s comments hint at some underlying frustration. By going public, Fernandes may have subtly challenged his old manager’s decision-making at a time when Amorim is already under scrutiny after a sluggish start to the domestic season.
Amorim has earned praise in the past for his sharp recruitment and tactical vision, but if this gamble backfires, critics could view it as a major blunder. For Fernandes, however, the issue goes beyond being proven right—it’s about ensuring Portuguese talents are nurtured and valued rather than overlooked in favor of risky foreign imports.
With Portugal in strong form on the international stage, Fernandes’s words add more fuel to the ongoing debate about whether clubs should put greater trust in local stars. As for Amorim, the pressure is on him to show that his transfer decisions will pay off, or risk being reminded that one of his biggest missteps came from ignoring the advice of his former captain.
