Super Cup: From dressing up as a footballer to becoming one, Brison Fernandes eyes another crown with Goa
'When I was in kindergarten, I had to participate in a fancy dress event. My dad dressed me up as a football player. He bought me shoes, and I think I was wearing a yellow Brazil national team jersey,' Brison recalled.
'From that day onwards, I wanted to be a football player,' he said.
Over a decade later, Brison signed for the reserve side of Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Goa (FCG) and then made heads turn in the 2024-25 season. He scored seven goals and assisted two more in 24 appearances, bagging the Emerging Player of the Season.
From the shores of Goa to the summit of the Indian Super League! 🏆
Our starboy 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬 is the ISL 2024-25 Emerging Player of the Season! 🔥🧡 pic.twitter.com/RXR2QvXzxf — FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) April 12, 2025
Among Indians, the midfielder's goal tally was second only to Sunil Chhetri (14) as he helped FCG reach the Cup semifinals, where the Gaurs lost to Bengaluru FC.
The 24-year-old has carried that momentum into Super Cup 2025, where he opened Goa's scoring in the semifinal as his side went on to eliminate ISL Cup and Shield winner Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
RELATED: Manolo Marquez's FC Goa ends Mohun Bagan's campaign to enter Super Cup 2025 final
Speaking to Sportstar before the final against Jamshedpur FC on May 3, Brison credited FCG head coach Manolo Marquez for putting his faith in him and giving him ample game time.
'Coach (Marquez) has always believed in me. He used to tell me that I have a lot of talent while also urging me to make some changes for improvement,' Brison said.
'It was not just on the pitch, he helped me get better off it as well, advising me on my recovery, my diet and so on. He made me a complete player,' he added.
Manolo Marquez, head coach of FC Goa, cheers Brison Ferandes during an Indian Super League match. | Photo Credit: FSDL/ISL Media
Marquez, in a previous interview, had heaped praise on the youngster, justifying his selection to the first team.
'Brison is a typical Goan player. He enjoys playing football. He has passed the situation that he underwent last season, where there was an air of uncertainty around his football. He is enjoying every minute of the game, and this is very important,' Marquez told Indian Super League.com.
'I speak a lot with him because he is a fantastic guy, and I keep asking him to be humble and to keep going, as he is still young, and he will reach the level that he wants to,' he added.
From Loutolim to National team
Born in the scenic Loutolim village in South Goa, Brison grew up kicking the ball around with odds stacked against him.
'I used to play with people above my age. Despite them being bigger and older than me, I used to just enjoy playing, and that's probably when I knew that I could go a step further,' Brison says.
He played at the under-12 level in his school, then with Goa-based Salgaocar FC's U14 before joining the ISL side two years later, where he rose up the ranks to finally win the Durand Cup in 2021, his first and only senior trophy so far.
Brison Fernandes poses with trophies after winning the Durand Cup in 2021, beating Mohammedan Sporting in the final. | Photo Credit: Instagram/Brison Fernandes
But it was his 2024-25 stint that earned him a maiden National team call-up, against Bangladesh in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifier on March 25.
'It was a very big moment for me and my family. I was very happy after seeing my name on that list. It is every footballer's dream to represent their country and wear the badge on the pitch,' Brison reflects.
The midfielder came on as a second-half substitute in the goalless draw.
'I was very nervous in the first few minutes, but once I completed 2-3 passes, I felt comfortable. Knowing the coach (Marquez) from my club level also helped me adjust to the game,' he says.
ALSO READ: India to face Thailand in international friendly in June ahead of AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers
When asked about the current struggles of the national team, Brison asserted that progress takes patience. 'You cannot just change everything overnight. It will take time, but I am sure that it will happen,' he quips.
Brison no longer has to pretend to be a footballer on stage, he is one.
Having won one trophy with the Gaurs, he now eyes another on Saturday, living his dream and enjoying his vocation as one of the brightest young talents in India.
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