Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has unveiled his dream five-a-side team, blending footballing talent with personal chemistry, and featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba in star roles.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents, Fernandes revealed a squad built from players he has shared the pitch with during his career.
The lineup starts with a single defender: veteran Portugal centre-back Pepe, chosen over Raphael Varane due to the time they spent together and Pepe’s role in helping Fernandes settle into the national team. Fernandes jokingly referenced Pepe’s endless cycling exploits on Instagram while praising his guidance off the pitch.
In midfield, Fernandes selected Juan Mata, whom he described as one of the most technically gifted players he has ever played alongside and a better person off the pitch. Pogba joined Mata, earning high praise as Fernandes called him the most complete midfielder he had seen in years. He recalled the challenge of marking Pogba during their Juventus days, describing the physical mismatch as almost comical.
Up front, Cristiano Ronaldo was an automatic inclusion, hailed by Fernandes as the ultimate goalscorer. The final spot produced a surprise: Udinese legend Antonio Di Natale. Fernandes lauded Di Natale for his loyalty and consistent scoring ability in a team often struggling against relegation, ranking him among Serie A’s finest finishers.
The final five-a-side selection Pepe, Juan Mata, Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Antonio Di Natale—was chosen as much for chemistry and personal connection as for raw talent. Fernandes admitted he could have picked many others but prioritized a blend of friendship and footballing feel.
