From Village to Victory: A Look at Gedson Fernandes’ World

Gedson Fernandes’ journey to football stardom began with raw talent and an unwavering passion for the game. As a child, he was often the standout on the pitch. One memorable day, during a football game, the young Gedson, playing with unstoppable energy, dribbled past every opponent and scored with ease. He was relentless, constantly dribbling and scoring, to the point where his coach, Paulo Sérgio, had to ask him to take a break: “Gedson, my boy, please come sit down a bit and let the other kids play.” This extraordinary skill earned him the nickname “Paco,” a term of Spanish origin meaning “Eagle,” reflecting his soaring performance on the field.

Preamble:

This biography tells the story of Gedson Fernandes, a footballer whose early talent captured attention across the Portuguese football scene. At one point, Benfica was so determined to secure Gedson’s signature that they made SC Frielas, his then-club, an unusual offer: “250 euros plus 25 soccer balls,” as a way to avoid delays in negotiations. SC Frielas’ president was even told, “It’s better to take our offer now than wait for Sporting CP to take your player for free at the end of the season.” With few options left, SC Frielas accepted the deal, though Gedson’s parents initially refused.

In this memoir, we’ll explore how Gedson’s exceptional skills and family values shaped his rise in football, from his humble beginnings to the moment he caught the attention of Portugal’s football giants. We’ll look into the key moments in his life, the challenges he faced, and the resilience that made him one of the brightest young stars to emerge from Benfica’s academy.

In short, this is the story of Gedson Fernandes, a talented Portuguese professional footballer. We take you through his journey, starting from his early years up to the point where he gained fame in the world of football. To give you a glimpse into his life, here’s a cradle-to-rise snapshot — a perfect overview of Gedson Fernandes’ biography.

Gedson Fernandes Story:

To begin with, Gedson Fernandes, fondly known by his nickname “Paco,” was born on January 9, 1999, in São Tomé, the capital of São Tomé and Príncipe.

His full name is Gedson Carvalho Fernandes. Raised in a middle-class household, Gedson grew up under the care and support of his proud parents, who played a great role in shaping his journey. Although much of his early life was spent in São Tomé, his family’s values and strong foundation set the stage for his future in football.

Many fans, including those reading this biography, might have wondered, “Where exactly is São Tomé and Príncipe, the country Gedson Fernandes’ family hails from?” São Tomé and Príncipe are two African island nations that united to form one country.

Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, far to the south of Nigeria’s southern coast and near the coasts of Cameroon and Gabon, the country has a rich history, having been founded by the Portuguese during the African slave trade era. These islands play a significant role in Gedson’s family heritage.

As observed above, São Tomé is oval in shape and larger than Príncipe.

Gedson Fernandes Family Background:

Judging from a photo of his early years, which Gedson revealed on his Instagram (on the 9th of January 2019), it appears he wasn’t raised by his parents in a wealthy family background. Judge for yourself!!

It also appears little Gedson, pictured above, grew up in the rural parts of Sao Tome. Probably at that time, little did he know he was going to be a superstar footballer with a release clause is £102m.

Gedson Fernandes spent most part of his early life playing football, unlike any other sport. The fun of playing football in the streets of Sao Tome was the only thing he appreciated as a child.

Family Life:

Starting off, Gedson Fernandes’ parents, while enjoying the fruits of their labour, have already begun taking on responsibilities, like providing the best parental support for their son’s needs.

At the time of writing, the proud mum and dad presently live in London, where they cheer and pray for Gedson from a distance.

Just like most parents from African roots, Gedson Fernandes’s parents take their time to pray earnestly for him in order to have him succeed.

As for the rest of his family members, little is known if Gedson has a brother or sister. If he does, then it appears his brother(s) and sister(s)  have all made conscious efforts to avoid getting public.

Granddad:

Gedson had a grandfather named Gustavo, with whom he experienced one of the best memories of his early years as a child.

Sadly, Gustavo, who is pictured below, is late. On the 4th day of July 2019, Gedson remembered one of his beloved family members (his grandpa) with his words;

“The distance between us was always great, but the affection was greater. I just wish I had more hugs and you continued to see me grow to what i have become. Thanks for everything grandfather. guide me forever!!”

Gedson Fernandes Educational Background:

Great foreign relations between his country & Portugal paved the way for citizens migrating to Portugal for better economic opportunities.

Gedson Fernandes’s parents were among those who took the opportunity to leave their family home for Portugal.

After moving to Portugal, Gedson Fernandes’ parents settled in Frielas, a small former civil parish in the municipality of Loures, located in the Lisbon District. This new home in Portugal became the foundation for Gedson’s early life and where his journey into professional football began.

While living in Frielas, Gedson continued his football hobby from where he left off in Sao Tome. This time, he was determined to become a professional footballer, a dream which didn’t go as a passing fantasy.

In the year 2008, at the age of 10, Gedson began taking football lessons with Sport Clube de Frielas. This is a small local club located in Frielas with no reputation in Portuguese football.

At the Sport Clube de Frielas AKA SC Frielas, little Gedson grew into a fine footballer. Pictured below, the youngster became red hot from the moment he clocked 11.

His Best Moment with the club:

During one of SC Frielas matches, the goalkeeper passed to Gedson, and immediately, he began dribbling everyone on the pitch before scoring.

Gedson’s remarkable skills on the pitch only grew stronger as he kept dribbling past opponents and scoring effortlessly. His talent was so overwhelming that his coach had to step in and say,

“Gedson, please come sit down a bit and let the others play.”

Gedson’s swift reply to his coach summed up how good he was during the early days of his career. In his words…

“Coach… Please let me play just a little more. I promise I won’t score anymore”

Paulo Sérgio, his coach back then, once recalled, during a football match with SC Frielas. Gedson’s brilliance on the pitch saw his school and academy teammates giving him the nickname “Paco“, a name of Spanish origin that means “Eagle“. The nickname came thanks to him being a high flier on the pitch.

Early Life in Academy Football:

Because Gedson was that good, Portuguese football giants Sporting CP and S.L. Benfica positioned themselves to have him at the end of the 2008/2009 season.

Among the two giants, it was Sporting CP that had the upper edge as they sealed a pre-contract agreement with SC Frielas.

This agreement was to see Gedson join them for free at the end of the 2008/2009 season.

While Sporting CP wanted him only FOR FREE, S.L. Benfica was willing to provide at least something in return in order to have Gedson earlier before June 2009.

Gedson Fernandes joined Benfica in what has been referred to as the most awkward bargain for a rising star.

The Transfer Fee Story:

Did you know?… SL Benfica offered SC Frielas’ manager “250 euros plus 25 balls”. In order to avoid delay in negotiation, the club called SC Frielas’ president, telling him in the following words;

“it is better to receive our money plus 25 soccer balls than not receiving anything because Sporting CP wanted your player at the end of the season without paying you anything”.

Being left with no options, SC Frielas agreed while Gedson Fernandes’ parents refused, insisting their son wouldn’t leave that soon. It took club SC Frielas much effort to convince them. In their words,

“it’s a great opportunity for him to go to a big club which would help him grow. You’ll enjoy the benefits later”

Road to Fame:

Gedson Fernandes joined S.L. Benfica’s youth system, where he began to make an immediate impact with the academy.

Just like Renato Sanches and Nani, his predecessors, he grew physically and footballically as he climbed step by step, traversing through the club’s youth ranks.

Switching Allegiance:

Considering Gedson’s dad and mum came from a lesser football country- São Tomé and Príncipe, the young footballer, didn’t mind switching allegiance to Portugal as soon as he acquired Portuguese citizenship.

His performance while in SL Benfica Academy saw him getting called up by the Portuguese national youth level.

The year 2016 was considered a turning point in Gedson’s youth career. That year, he got called up to represent his country in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

Gedson saw an opportunity to use the European tournament to showcase his talent to the world. Did you know?… He helped his teammates and his beloved country of Portugal seal the title.

Gedson Fernandes Bio – Rise to Fame:

After helping his country clinch the UEFA Under-17 Championship and Campeonato Nacional de Juniores (Portuguese football league system for youth players), Gedson felt the time had come for him to get into the first team.

Thankfully, his promotion to Benfica’s first team came at the beginning of the 2018–19 season.

The rising star was given the nickname “The Ghost”  by Benfica fans on August 10, 2018, after his first senior game.

In that game, Gedson reminded fans about former heroes, the likes of Nemanja Matić and Axel Witsel, who were two of their best powerhouses.

The 2018–19 season was one that Gedson Fernandes would not forget in a hurry. The season depicted him as one of the league’s most rising midfielders.

Gedson Fernandes’ meteoric rise saw an intense partnership between him and other megastars like João Félix and Rafa Silva. Together with other teammates, they helped Benfica win the 2018/2019 Primeira Liga.

The Release Clause Story:

Out of fear for other clubs pricing their star man away, Benfica management decided to raise Gedson’s release clause from 60 to 120 million euros.

Did you know? This is the strongest clause ever proposed and given to a player in Portugal.

Gedson Fernandes ended the 2018/2019 season in the best way. Unfortunately, he began the 2019/2020 season in the worst way, no thanks to a metatarsal fracture on his right foot that kept him away from football for some time.

It was indeed a sad moment for Gedson Fernandes’ family, especially his parents.

After returning from injury, Gedson Fernandes, for unknown reasons, reportedly fell out with his manager, Bruno Lage. This sad situation saw the midfield dynamo not being featured in games.

Taking advantage of the fallout, top European clubs began to chase the midfielder for his signature despite the hefty 120 million euro release clause.

Well, it’s only a matter of time before he gets priced away from Benfica.

Without a doubt, we football fans are on the verge of seeing another midfield maestro blossoming his way into a world-class talent right in front of our very eyes.

Gedson Fernandes stands out as one of the finest talents emerging from Europe’s continuous stream of top midfielders. Now experiencing a resurgence in his career at Beşiktaş, the rest, as they say, is history.

Personal Life:

Getting to know Gedson Fernandes’ Personal Life would provide you with a better picture of his personality off the pitch of play. Gedson Fernandes is someone with a solid and realistic plan for his life. Those who know him often say he is intelligent, stable and reliable.

More so in his personal life, Gedson has learned how to live independently since 2009. This was the year he left his parents in Frielas to continue life far away from home in SL Benfica. His “Capricorn” zodiac sign sums up his independent personality.

Lastly, on his personal life, Gedson Fernandes as an individual, possesses an inner state of independence, one that enables him to make significant progress both in his personal and professional life.

Lifestyle:

Earning a substantial income as a footballer is certainly appreciated by Gedson. However, despite his financial success, the humble player manages his money wisely, ensuring he saves for the future and handles his wealth responsibly.

At the time of writing, Gedson appears to be an antidote to living an expensive lifestyle, which is easily noticeable by a handful of expensive cars, houses, etc.

So far, the closest to a car we have seen him drive is a speed boat- a clear reflection of one of his numerous hobbies.

Untold Facts:

Fact about Gedson Fernandes’ Tattoo:

Tattoo culture, as we all know, is very popular in today’s modern football world. It is often used to portray one’s religion or the people they love. Our very own Gedson Fernandes is tattoo-free. As observed below, there are no traces of tattoo inks on his upper and lower body.

Facial Scar – What does it mean? How did he get it?:

When you take a close look at Gedson, you’re most likely to see something that looks like a scar.

Well, it isn’t a scar, but a birthmark that came right from the moment his mum gave birth to him.

While some people have had a love-hate relationship with their facial birthmarks in their entire lives, Gedson Fernandes is said to be a refreshing antidote. Just like most people, he has also embraced his facial birthmarks.

Gedson Fernandes Religion:

In the Gedson Fernandes family life section of this article, we showed you a photo of his parents praying earnestly for their son’s career success.

This act implies that the footballer is likely to come from a Christian home. However, little is known if Gedson is fully committed to the Christian religion.

Fact Check:

Thanks for reading our Gedson Fernandes Childhood Story and his Untold Biography Facts. We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you find something that doesn’t look right, please share it with us by commenting below. We’ll always value and respect your ideas.