Paulo Bernardo Gonçalves Bernardo, born on the 24th of January, 2002 in Portugal, is a midfielder specialising in a central position for Celtic FC. Standing at a respectable height of 5ft 10in (1.8m) and weighing 12st 1lb (77kg), he endorses the team's #28 jersey. Apart from his fealty to Celtic FC, Bernardo also colloquially represents the Portugal U21 national team. His current market value is listed to be in the ballpark of £3.8m, as stated by Transfermarkt, and his contract bound to Celtic FC extends to the 30th of June, 2029, equalling a tenure of 4 years and 4 months.
Bernardo first pushed off his career in July 2010 when he joined Benfica as a trainee in Liga Portugal, a league in Portugal. Remarkably, in his debut season in 2021-2022, he appeared in 17 first team league matches. In January 2023, he transitioned on loan from Benfica to Paços de Ferreira in the Liga Portugal 2. During his time there in the 2022-2023 season, he graced 13 first team league matches and netted two goals.
In September 2023, Bernardo crossed international shores and joined Celtic FC in Scotland on loan from Benfica. His impact was felt immediately during the 2023-2024 season when he participated in 22 first team matches and scored three goals. In the ongoing 2024-2025 season, Bernardo has continued his diligent service to Celtic FC, featuring in 22 first team matches and netting two goals.
In August 2024, with no loose ends, Bernardo permanently moved from Benfica in Portugal to Celtic FC in Scotland, costing the club a transfer fee of around £3.5m. His performance mirrored the previous season, with 22 appearances and three goals. In the current 2024-2025 season, Bernardo has again matched his consistent delivery with 22 appearances and two goals, farther enriching his time at Celtic.
Besides his regular league performances, Bernardo has been a pivotal part of several competitions. He represented Celtic in the Champions League 2023-2024 with two starts and four appearances as a substitute. In the League Cup 2024-2025, he netted one goal over two matches. In the Scottish Cup 2024-2025, he bought one start and one substitute appearance to the table. Furthermore, representing Portugal U21, he scored four goals during the UEFA U21 Championship Qualifiers 2024-2025 over nine starts and one substitute appearance. Lastly, he also played a part in the Champions League 2024-2025 for Celtic with two starts and six appearances as a substitute.
