Ballon D’or 2021: Bruno Fernandes for this year? Check out why

On 30^th January, 2020 Bruno Fernandes was signed by Manchester United from Sporting CP and the rest as they say is history. He has taken to the Premier League like fish to water. The form he has been in since then has merited him a place in the thoughts of football pundits, experts and fans as to being nominated for this year’s Ballon D’or award.

Bruno Fernandes has been nothing less than a phenomenon since his arrival and has to be credited being one of the key catalyst’s in The Red Devils progress this season.

It is not a far-fetched thought about naming the Portuguese as his performances have done the talking. Bruno Fernandes is United’s highest goal scorer and assist maker this season in the Premier league with 15 goals and 10 assists to his credit.

In 39 appearances for the Reds, he has scored 23 goals and provided 17 assists. He was nominated the Premier League Player of the Month in February, June, November and December 2020 for his exploits and has raised the bar of excellence.

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The exploits merit one place-a shot at the Ballon D’or and we will explain why.

LEADERSHIP

Even with Harry Maguire wearing the armband, it is Bruno Fernandes around whom the team is revolving with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having full faith and trust in his abilities. He gets the ball rolling and gets the team to manoeuvre around him. His leadership qualities are at full display when he controls play from Midfield with his slick touches and accuracy of passes.

CONTRIBUTIONS

After joining the Red Devils last season, he scored 8 goals in the league and made an instant impact before Covid played spoiled sport. Once the new season began, he continued where he left off plundering goals for fun and providing accurate passes to set up goals.

In the current season, he has scored 15 goals coupled with 10 assists and is one of the most influential signings post Ferguson’s retirement. The Portuguese has been the heartbeat of the Red Devils since his arrival.

He has been involved in 54 goals from February 2020 across all competitions scoring 34 goals and providing 20 assists in just 59 matches. The Portuguese has another record to his name in being one of only 3 players in Europe’s top five leagues to reach double digits in goals and assists (Harry Kane and Thomas Muller being the other two).

These statistics are mind-boggling to say the least for someone playing his first full season in the Premier League.

DESIRE

The mentality of a champion is to work hard and let the results do the talking. This is the quality which Bruno Fernandes has in abundance. His desire to be the best and get his teammates to his level is what stands out.

His former teammate at Sporting CP Luiz Phellype says that Bruno Fernandes does not talk to anyone if the team loses.

United’s no 18 is so involved in the game that it is only victory and its process which matters to him. He relishes the challenge and wants to set an example for his peers. This is one of his biggest attributes as a player.

The LCD is the mantra of Bruno Fernandes succeeding at the centre stage. His form seems ominous and with a shot at the UEFA Europa League, FA Cup and Premier League this season, we could be in store for a treat as he continues making giant strides in world football.

Ballon D’or calling for Bruno?