Matias Fernandez-Pardo

Matias Fernandez-Pardo (born 3 February 2005) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for club Newcastle United and the Belgium national team.

A former Lille youth talent across six years, Fernandez-Pardo moved back to Belgium and transitioned into Gent's youth system at the age of 15, before making his debut with the first team in March 2023 at the age of 18. The following year, he returned to Lille and signed a five-year contract with the club until 2029, scoring his first goal for the club in November.

Born in Belgium and a former youth international for the country across various ranks, Fernandez-Pardo switched allegiances to Spain in February 2025, but was sporadically selected to participate in Spain's under-21 and under-20 training camps, and was ultimately never chosen to play in any of their games. He then switched his nationality back to Belgium in May 2026, and was subsequently included in the Belgium squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Early life Matias Fernandez-Pardo was born on 3 February 2005 in Brussels, Belgium within a family of Spanish and Italian descent. He started playing football at Anderlecht and Mechelen, and then joined French Ligue 1 club Lille academy in 2014. On 1 April 2023, he joined the first team in his first league appearance against Seraing in a match that ended 5–0 for Gent. His first professional goal came in a 5–0 win against Charleroi.

Fernandez-Pardo signed a contract extension with Gent in June 2023 until mid-2026. In the 2024 winter transfer window, he was linked with a move to Lecce or Real Valladolid. After Gent managed to secure a ticket to the Conference League, it was reported that Bayer Leverkusen was interested in recruiting him. During the 2023–24 Belgian Pro League play-offs, he played in each of the 10 matches and scored 7 goals, as well as providing two assists. On 10 November, he scored his first Ligue 1 goal in a 2–2 draw at Nice after a rush on the left wing. On 6 January 2025, Lille revealed that Fernandez-Pardo had suffered a torn ligament in his left ankle in a 1–1 draw against Nantes two days prior.

Newcastle United On 1 September 2026, Premier League club Newcastle United confirmed the signing of Fernandez-Pardo on a long-term contract for a reported fee of €60 million plus add-ons.

International career Born in Belgium, Fernandez-Pardo was eligible to represent Spain, Italy, or Belgium. In November 2023, he was called up by the Belgium under-19 team for the 2024 UEFA Euro Under-19 qualifying matches, and scored the winning brace against Albania.

On 26 February 2025, Fernandez-Pardo's request to switch allegiance to Spain was approved by FIFA. On 14 March, he was called up by the Spain national under-21 team. In August 2025, he was called up to the Spain national under-20 team for a training in camp in France ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, but he withdrew from the squad before the beginning of camp. He ultimately never represented Spain at any level.

On 14 May 2026, Fernandez-Pardo's request to switch international allegiance back to Belgium was approved by FIFA. On 2 June, he made his senior debut for Belgium in a 2–0 pre-World Cup friendly win over Croatia. On 15 June, he made his World Cup debut when he came on in the 86th minute for Jeremy Doku in the opening group stage match in an eventual 1–1 draw against Egypt.

Personal life Besides Belgium, Fernandez-Pardo also possesses Spanish citizenship, as his full name in his nationality switch document is displayed as Matías Fernández Picogna. Belgian National Division 1

2023–24 Belgian National Division 1

2022–23 Belgian Pro League

2024–25 Ligue 1

Newcastle United 2026–27 Premier League

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International

Honours Individual Ligue 1 Young Player of the Month: November 2024