Rúben Miguel Marques dos Santos Fernandes (born 6 May 1986) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Liga 3 club Varzim.
Club career Born in Portimão, Faro District, Fernandes started his career with local Portimonense SC. In the summer of 2007, he joined Varzim S.C. on loan as a replacement for Bruno Miguel, returning at the end of the season and renewing his contract for another year.
Fernandes made his debut in the Primeira Liga in the 2010–11 campaign, playing 20 games and scoring once as his team was relegated one year after being promoted. He only returned to the top division for 2013–14 after signing with G.D. Estoril Praia, taking part in two UEFA Europa League campaigns with the team and scoring a late equaliser as a substitute in a 1–1 group stage draw against eventual champions Sevilla FC, on 28 November 2013.
In late April 2015, as his contract with the Lisbon outskirts club was about to expire, Fernandes hinted in his Facebook page he was open to negotiations for its renewal. However, in June, he signed a two-year deal with the option for a third one with promoted Belgian Pro League side Sint-Truidense V.V. In September, he stated in an interview that the main reason for moving abroad was to experience another championship.
Fernandes scored his first goal for his new team on 24 July 2015, to help the hosts to defeat Club Brugge KV 2–1. His second came on 19 September, in a 3–0 away victory over K.V.C. Westerlo.
Fernandes then returned to his country's top tier, where he represented Portimonense and Gil Vicente FC. On 5 October 2024, he made his 300th appearance in the competition in a 3–0 defeat of C.F. Estrela da Amadora.
On 25 June 2025, the 39-year-old Fernandes went back to Liga Portugal 2 on a one-year contract at S.C. Farense.
International career Fernandes won three caps for the Portugal under-20 team, all in 2006. His first arrived on 5 October, in a 6–0 defeat of São Tomé and Príncipe in the Lusophony Games.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPortimonense 2004–05Segunda Liga5010——602005–06Liga de Honra28220——3022006–07Liga de Honra20220——222Total53450——584Varzim 2007–08Liga de Honra1000000—1002008–09Liga de Honra1311000—141Total2311000—241Portimonense 2009–10Liga de Honra2402030—2902010–11Primeira Liga2011020—2312011–12Liga de Honra2932070—3832012–13Segunda Liga4182132—4611Total1141271152—13615Estoril2013–14Primeira Liga2413010513322014–15Primeira Liga314001030354Total555302081686Sint-Truiden2015–16Belgian Pro League26310——2732016–17Belgian First Division A38320——403Total64630——676Portimonense2017–18Primeira Liga3342030—3842018–19Primeira Liga3301010—350Total6643040—734Gil Vicente2019–20Primeira Liga3112020—3512020–21Primeira Liga32130——3512021–22Primeira Liga3310020—3512022–23Primeira Liga2602030303402023–24Primeira Liga2912110—3222024–25Primeira Liga28140——321Total179513180302036Farense2025–26Liga Portugal 227020——290Career total5813737229211165842
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