Fernando José Alves Brassard (born 11 April 1972) is a Portuguese retired professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Playing career

Born in Lourenço Marques, Portuguese Mozambique, Brassard emerged through S.L. Benfica's youth system, but was soon deemed surplus to requirements, making his professional debut with lowly Louletano D.C. on loan. In the following years he represented on the same basis C.S. Marítimo, Gil Vicente FC (two spells) and Vitória de Guimarães. In the summer of 1995, Brassard returned to Benfica for two unassuming seasons, as he had to settle with battling for backup status behind Belgian Michel Preud'homme. He then spent one year with Varzim SC – starting but seeing his club be relegated from the Primeira Liga – closing out his career at Vitória de Setúbal aged only 29, being again second-choice for three years. Brassard was in the squad for both of Portugal winning teams in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1989 and 1991, being part of the dubbed Golden Generation. Alongside teammate João Vieira Pinto and Argentinian Sergio Agüero, he was the only player in the world to win the tournament twice, although he did not play one second in the first edition.

Coaching career

In 2003, shortly after his retirement, Brassard joined the senior national team's coaching staff, working with the goalkeepers for several years. In 2010, in the same capacity, he switched to the under-21 side.

Honours

Benfica Portugal